▪ I. mense, n. Obs. exc. Sc. and north. dial.
(mɛns)
[Sc. pronunciation of mensk: cf. buss = busk bush, ass = ask ashes, etc.]
Propriety, decorum; neatness, tidiness.
| c 1500 Priests of Peblis (Laing) 313 Thair manheid, and thair mense, this gait they murle; For mariage thus unyte of ane churle. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform. viii. 10 War ȝour richt reknit to þe croun It mycht be laid with litill menss. 1737 Ramsay Scot. Prov. (1797) 46, I ha'e baith my meat and my mense. [Used by one who has given an invitation that has not been accepted.] 1783 Burns Poor Mailie's Elegy iv, I wat she was a sheep o' sense, An' could behave hersel wi' mense. 1788 W. Marshall Yorks. II. 342 Mense, manners, creditableness. 1818 Scott Rob Roy vi, But we hae mense and discretion, and are moderate of our mouths. |
▪ II. mense, v. Obs. exc. dial.
(mɛns)
Also mence.
[Sc. var. of mensk v.]
trans. To grace; to adorn or decorate; to be a credit or to do honour to.
| 1535 Lyndesay Satyre 4088 Cum heir, Falset, & mense the gallows. 1606 W. Birnie Kirk-Buriall (1833) 35 Lyke Hophnees with elcrookes to minche and not Samueles to mense the offerings of God. 1780 J. Mayne Siller Gun iii, Convener Tamson mensed the board, Where sat ilk deacon like a lord. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck, etc. II. 164 They'll..leave the good..ait-meal bannocks to..be pouched by them that draff an' bran wad better hae mensed! 1863 in Robson Bards Tyne 135 O bonny church! ye've studden lang, To mence our canny toon. |
▪ III. mense
obs. Sc. form of mends: see mend n.