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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

REE, n.⁴, v.³ Also rhee: wree; rae.

I. n. 1 A sieve or riddle of medium size used for cleaning grain, peas, beans, etc. (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Sc. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ayr. c.1930; Slg., m.Lth. 1967).Edb. 1728 Caled. Mercury (26 March):
There is to be exposed by publick Roup . . . a Bout-Mill, with some Sacks, Pocks, Riddles and Rhee.Sc. 1743 Edb. Commiss. Test. MSS. CVII.:
Four dighting weights a peese riddle a peese ree.Bwk. 1809 R. Kerr Agric. Bwk. 163:
It is afterwards fully dressed up for market . . . by means of riddles, sieves, and rees, to separate the light grain and small seeds from the good grain.

2. Fig. of an emaciated animal: in phr. as poor as a ree, in very lean condition (Ork. 1929 Marw.). It is uncertain whether this meaning belongs here. It might phs. be rather an extended usage of Ree, n.³

II. v. To clean grain, grass-seed, peas, beans, etc., by sieving in a ree (Lth. 1808 Jam.; Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS.; Uls. 1904 E.D.D.; m.Lth. 1968). Also in Eng. dial. Vbl.n. pl. reein(g)s, reeans, the material which has been separated off in the process of sieving (Peattie); specif. coarser or damaged beans which will not pass through a sieve (Per. 1904 E.D.D.). Ppl.adj. reeing, in comb. reeing-riddle, = n., 1. (Ib.).Edb. 1772 Edb. Ev. Courant (23 March):
Rye-grass, and natural Grass-seeds, which is clean ree'd thro' white riddles.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 406:
To ree grain, is to whirl it through a riddle, so that the tares in it may be seen.Slg. 1885 W. Towers Poems 91:
His faither's faither, a farmer guid, Was busy reein' beans.Per. 1904 E.D.D.:
Gae 'wa an' ree beans.Ayr. 1953 J. Shaw Ayr. 1745–1950 191:
He decided to improve the quality by cleaning and sifting . . . and employed hands to rea the seed.