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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Levin, n. Also: levyn(e, lewyne. [ME. (? orig. east midl. and north.) levene (Gen. & Ex.), leven (Cursor M.), levin (Havelok), e.m.E. leav'n, levin, of obscure origin. In Sc. common only in Douglas.] Lightning, a flash of lightning; also, bright light. — a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1043.]
[Sall neuer sege vnder son se me with schame Na luke on my lekame with light nor with leme (: nevin, evin, sevin) 1513 Doug. i. ii. 64.
The skyis oft lychtnyt with fyry levin [Sm. lewyne] Ib. iii. iii. 96.
The brokkyn skyis rappis furth thunderis levin Ib. vii. Prol. 10.
Forfeblit wolx hys [Phebus'] lemand gylty levyn Ib. ii. x. 155, v. ix. 70, vii. Prol. 48, viii. viii. 161, x. iv. 38, vi. 94, xi. xiv. 51, xiii. x. 74.