Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†EEN, n. An oven (Abd., Mearns 1825 Jam.²). For other Sc. forms, see Oen, n.

Hence comb. een-cake, “a thick cake made of yeast and oatmeal and baked in the oven” (Ib.). 'EN, adv. Gen.Sc. form of Eng. even. Also †ein. In Sc. freq. used before the verb in the imper. mood, or with a modal or future tense aux. = just (so), simply, without further ado. This use is now only arch. or dial. in Eng. See P.L.D. § 70.1.Sc. 1750 Scots Mag. (March) 113:
And wha was't think ye? Ein auld Allan's jo.Ayr. 1792 Burns She's Fair and Fause i.:
She's broken her vow, she's broken my heart; And I may e'en gae hang.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality v.:
When I heard the awfu' threatenings o' the oppressors, I e'en took my cloak about me and sate down by the way-side, to warn ony of our puir scattered remnant that chanced to come this gate.Sc. 1817 Scott Bonnie Dundee ii. in Doom of Devorgoil (1834) Act II. Sc. ii.:
But the Provost, douce man, said, “Just e'en let him be, The Gude Town is weel quit of that Deil of Dundee.”Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 89:
An' what could e'en poor Oiny dae.Kcb. 1893 S. R. Crockett Stickit Minister 127:
He'll e'en be minister o' Earlswood withoot it, then.Abd. 1930 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Review (March) 109:
“Ay, ye may pit oot yer tongue, ye naisty smatchet.” “Na, nae een naisty smatchet, Jean Gordon. The bairn's jist as gweed an' weel come as ye'r queyn.”