Bein

Alternative forms

• been, bene
• bien Scotland

Origin

From Middle English been, beene, bene ("gracious, generous, pleasant"), of unknown origin. Perhaps from Old Norse beinn ("straight, right, favourable, advantageous, convenient, friendly, fair, keen"), from Proto-Germanic *bainaz ("straight"), from Proto-Indo-European *bhei- ("to hit, beat"). Cognate with Scots bein, bien ("in good condition, pleasant, well-to-do, cosy, well-stocked, pleasant, keen"), Icelandic beinn ("straight, direct, hospitable"), Norwegian bein ("straight, direct, easy to deal with"). See also bain.

Full definition of bein

Adjective

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) Wealthy; well-to-do.a bein farmer
2. (Now chiefly dialectal) Well provided; comfortable; cosy.

Derived terms

• beinly

Adverb

1. (Now chiefly dialectal) Comfortably.

Verb

1. (transitive, Scotland) To render or make comfortable; dry.----