spean

American  

[speen] / spin /

verb (used with object)

Chiefly Scot.

1. to wean.

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Etymology

Origin of spean

1565–75; variant of dial. spane, Middle English spanen; cognate with Low German, Dutch spenen, German (dial.) Spänen

Example Sentences

These sweetie wives were not young by any means—save one or two— “But withered beldames, auld and droll, Rig-woodie hags would spean a foal.”

From Annie o' the Banks o' Dee by Stables, Gordon

Do," cried Robin; "sir, she's an auld withered hag, would spean a foal.

From Ringan Gilhaize or The Covenanters by Galt, John

But withered beldams, auld and droll, Rigwoodie hags wad spean a foal, Lowping an' flinging on a crummock— I wonder did na turn thy stomach.

From In the Saddle A Collection of Poems on Horseback-Riding by Various

But wither’d beldams, auld and droll, Rigwoodie hags, wad spean a foal, Lowping an’ flinging on a cummock, I wonder didna turn thy stomach.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

He was one of the most conceited persons in the world, but a good teacher; one of the ugliest countenances he had that need be exhibited—enough, as we say, to spean weans.

From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume I (of 10) by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)