Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bensell, Bensall, n. Also: bensill, -cill, bent-saile. [ON. benzl n. pl., bent state of a bow. Only Sc. and northern Eng. dial. (rare).]

1. Bending. straining. 1513 Doug. viii. xii. 37.
Ourweltit with the bensell of the ayris, Fast fra forstammys the flude swowchis and raris

2. fig. A state of mental tension, excitement or eagerness; a strong bent or inclination. 1629 Boyd Last B. 335.
Set now all your affections in bensell before the Lord 1638 Baillie I. 72.
Canterburie will remit nought of his bensall 1644 Ib. II. 142.
Being in their extreme bent-saile of opposition 1650 Gen. Assembly III. 16.
A strong inclination and great bensall in not a few, to fetche in and imploy the Malignant party, … which bensale and inclination appears in these particulars 1651 Ib. 387.
Lett it not slack your bencill or abate your courage a1658 Durham Scandal 79.
Our spirits are soon out of bensall

3. Vigorous action or effort. 1665 Lauder Journal 44.
I discovered men with a great deall of art swiming … and that with a bensill