Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BETTERNESS, Bettirness, n. (See quots.) N.E.D. gives this as dial.
1. (See quot.)Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Bettirness, emendation, amelioration: applied especially as to health.
2. Recovery. Cf. Better, adv., 1.Mearns 1934 per Lnk.7:
Betterness, common in Mearns as “There's nae betterness for him,” he will not recover health.
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"Betterness n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/betterness>