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

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

Bysning, Bisning, n. and a. Also: bysninge, bysnyng (bysmyng), bysnyne. [f. Bysyn n.]

1. A monster; a wretch. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 646.
To the puple in vondrynge Sa wes it borne a bysnyng Ib. 701.
That bysnyne to this tuk kepe 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 499.
Ilk wicht hes sum weilfair at obeysance Saif me bysning, that may na grace ressaue Ib. ii. 63.
To justifie this bysning quhilk blasphemit

2. Attrib. or as adj.: Monstrous. a1400 Leg. S. xxi. 608.
Thu art a wondir bysnyng beste Til ws al Ib. xxxiv. 268; etc.
To mak hethinge Of me as of a bysninge thinge c1420 Wynt. vi. 1155.
Til a bisyn [Au. E² bysnyng] best al lyk 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 614.
That Venus suld … In till sum bysning beist transfigurat me Id. Æn. vi. iv. 105.
The bysnyng best, the serpent of Lerna Ib. vii. v. 110.
That bysmyng [sic] belch