Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BELL, n.¹ and v.¹

1. n.

(1) “A bubble in water or any liquid” (Sc. 1825 Jam.²).central, w.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 53:
Bell. A soap-bubble.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) II. 152:
I soon saw by the bells coming up, that there was a fish in the auld hauld.

Comb.: saip-bells, “bubbles formed by blowing out soapy water” (Sc. 1825 Jam²).

(2) A drop of sweat.Abd. [1844] W. Thom Rhymes and Recollections (1845) 72:
The feast o' yestreen how it oozes through, In bell an' blab on his burly brow.

2. v. To bubble up.Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man II. ii.:
When the scum turns blue And the blood bells through.

ppl.adj. bellin'.Sc. 1844 G. Outram Lyrics Legal, etc., Invitation to a Dinner (1874) 14:
But anerlie wi' our ain reamin yill an' bellin usquebaugh.Edb. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 22:
Acquavitae, auld an' bellin', That will rouse ye'r drousie heart.