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.
Quotation dates: 1375-1614
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Benk, n. Also: beink. [Northern ME. benk (midl. and southern bench), OE. benc. See also Bink.] A bench. (See also veschell benk.) 1375 Barb. vii. 238 (E).
He come sone in the hous, and fand The howswyff on the benk sittand c1400 Troy-bk. i. 345.
Chambris wight, … Quhar-in the benkis war … Our-spred with goldin claithis c1450-2 Howlat 672.
Braid burdis and benkis, ourbeld with bancouris of gold 1488 Lanark B. Rec. 2.
For mendyn of the benkis, and settyn in of the bar and nailis 1492 Peebles B. Rec. 194.
A mark of siluer pait … for the makyn of the benkis of the tolboith 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. iii. 630.
Traistis, formis, and benkis war poleist plane 1513 Id. Æn. 907/28.
Thank me tharfor, masteris of grammar sculys, Quhar ȝe syt techand on ȝour benkis and stulys 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. lvi.
Thay slepit on benkis, or bonchis of stra 1531 Ib. 82.
This hous of Julius … is round … with benkis of stane round about within 1561–3 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 387.
For vc naillis to the nether beinks 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 362.
Making of seatis and benkis in the heiche skollis thair to the bairnis to sit upoun c 1614 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 522.
The buirdes in the Hall with thair benkis and formes
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"Benk n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/benk_n>
