Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1898-1934
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BEHSS, BEASE, n. and v. [bes Bnff., Abd.; be1:z Ags.]
1. n. Bustle, hurry.Bnff. 1898 W.G. in E.D.D. s.v. baise:
He geed throuw wi's wark wi' an unco' behss.Ags. 1901 W. J. Milne Reminisc. of an Old Boy v.:
[They] declared "that it was naething bit a temptin' o' Providence that folk sid mak sic machines, an' flee frae toon tae toon on sic a bease [hurry]." [Still known in Arbroath and once current in Dundee (Ags.11 1934).]
2. v.intr. To move or walk with energy, to bustle.Bnff. 1898 W.G. in E.D.D. s.v. baise:
He behsst doon the road jist as gehn he wiz gyain' t'redd fire.Abd.19 (Deeside) 1934:
"Far wis 'e?" "He wis behssin up the reed pei (red path) at an afu lick."
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"Behss n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/behss>
