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

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

Bening, Benigne, adj. and adv. Also: benyng, benygt. [ME. benigne, benygne (14th c.), also benyngne, benyng(e, OF. benigne, L. benignus.]

1. adj. Gracious, kindly, benign. Said of persons, and of their looks, actions, or qualities.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 160.
As patriarkis … Benyng of obedience c1475 Wall. i. 202.
He was … wys, curtas, and benyng a1500 Henr. Fab. 1644.
God … is gude, fair, wyis, and bening c1500-c1512 Dunb. x. 26.
All clergy … bow vnto that barne benyng 1531 Bell. Boece II. 82.
To cause him appeir benigne to the pepill 1567 G. Ball. 49.
That blissit bairne bening and kynde 1570 Leslie 8.
Most dreid and bening soveraigne Lady 1596 Dalr. I. 167/1.
Sa humane, gentle, and bening, that … he grantis thame quhat thay craue 1626 Garden Worthies 30.
To a bountefull benigne [: king] … prince(2) 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Thankand ȝour excellence ... of ȝhur gracius benygt [sic] writyng 1456 Hay I. 189/9.
Throu his benigne clemence a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1162.
God of his benyng bounte 1490 Irland I. 16/10.
With cherite and benyng interpretacioune 1513 Doug. iv. viii. 67.
Hys benyng eris Ib. vii. iv. 5.
With glaid semlant and vissage ful benyng 1535 Stewart 14154.
His wordis meik … and bening a1540 Freiris Berw. 423.
His bening grit besines and cure c1550 Rolland C. Venus i. 573.
Lufe is bening and … amiable

b. Of planets or the air. a1500 Bk. Chess 6.
Iubiter the planet most benyng c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 32.
Thy air it is nocht holsum nor benyng

2. adv. Benignly, graciously. 1535 Stewart 16657.
Ressaueand him richt blythlie and benyng In his seruice Ib. 31401.
Beseikand thame rycht hartlie and benyng For to ressaue than as thair prince and king This Alpynus