Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1866, 1935
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BLYBE, n. and v. [bləib]
1. n.
(1) “A large quantity of any liquid, particularly of ardent spirits” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 14; Bnff.2, Abd.22 1935).
(2) “A person addicted to drinking; a toper” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 14).
2. v. To drink heavily.Bnff.1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 14:
He blybit a' day at fusky, an' afore even he wiz blazin'-fou.Abd.19 1935
Hence blyban, vbl.n., “the act of drinking much” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 14).
[Cf. Blibe, n.1, a bubble, Blab, v.2, n.3, and Blib, n.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Blybe n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/blybe>
