abeighadv.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < a- prefix³ (compare a prep.¹ and see discussion at that entry) + a second element beich , beigh , of uncertain meaning and identity (compare quot. 1568).Several Scandinavian words have been suggested as the origin of the second element, the most plausible of which is probably Old Icelandic bjúgr bent, curved. Although this is unproblematic phonologically (since Scandinavian -jú- fell together with Old English -ēo- and unrounded to long open ē before raising to ī : see A. J. Aitken & C. Macafee Older Sc. Vowels (2002) §14.2.(5)), it is not entirely straightforward semantically. For an argument that attempts to overcome the problems see S. Kries Skandinavisch-schottische Sprachbeziehungen im Mittelalter (2003) 149. Other Scandinavian words have been suggested as the origin of this element (compare Old Icelandic beigr , beygr fear, beygja to bend: see bey v.), although these are less likely as they would be expected to yield forms in -ai- in Scots. It has alternatively been suggested that abeigh is a variant of at bay (see to stand, be (abide obs.) at bay at bay n.⁴ 3a), which is used in similar constructions, although this explanation does not account either for the form on beich in quot. 1568 or for the final fricative. Another argument connects the adverb with abay n. or its French etymon (in e.g. Middle French tenir en aboi, tenir aux abays, etc. to keep (a person) at a distance, to keep (a person) waiting (mid 15th cent.)), but the same phonological objection would apply.