See Also:

ben(1) (iou)



ben adverb, preposition, adjective, & noun3. Scot. & north. LME.
[Repr. Old English binnan (= Old Frisian binna, Middle & mod. Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch, Middle & mod. High German binnen), formed as BY preposition etc. + IN adverb.]
A. adverb. Within, towards the inner part; spec. in or into the inner part of a house (orig. the parlour of a two-roomed house with only one outer door, opening into the kitchen). Cf. BUT adverb 1. LME.
b. preposition. In or into the inner part of (a house). L17.
C. adjective. Inner, interior. L18.
D. noun. The inner room of a two-roomed house. Cf. BUT noun 2. L18.
Phrases: but and ben: see BUT noun 2.