An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

BELD, s. Pattern, model of perfection.
V. [Beelde].

BELD, imperf. v. Perhaps, took the charge of, or protected.
Houlate.

Fr. bail, a guardian. In this sense it is nearly allied to E. bailed, Fr. bailler, to present, to deliver up. As, however, we have the word beild, shelter, protection, beld may possibly belong to a verb corresponding in sense.

BELD CYTTES, s. pl. Bald coots.
Houlate.

The bald coot receives its name from a bald spot on its head. It is vulgarly called bell-kite, S.

BELDIT, part. pa. Imaged, formed.
V. [Beelde].
Houlate.

Belg. beeld-en, Germ. bild-en, Sw. bild-a, formare, imaginari. A. S. bild, bilith, Germ. Sw. bild, belaete, an image.

To BELE, v. s. "To burn, to blaze."
Wyntown.

This, however, may mean, bellowed, roared, from A. S. bell-an, Su. G. bal-a, id. Chaucer uses belle in the same sense.

BELE, s. A fire, a blaze.
V. [Bail].