Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BABBIN, n. A Sc. form of St.Eng. bobbin, a reel of thread, etc. See P.L.D. § 54. [′bɑbɪn]Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 40–41:
On marrying they generally gave up the “box and babbins” for a “baby and a blanket.”Uls.(D) 1879 W. G. Lyttle Readings by Robin 100:
Then he tuk a thing jest like a babbin, an' he pit yin en' o' it tae my breast.

Comb. babbincue, waste cotton wound up in a ball like string (Ayr. 1975). For the second element see C'ue, n.¹.