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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Gird, n.¹ [ME. gird (13 … ), var. of Girth n.¹ In later Eng. use chiefly dial.]

1. A strong band or strap, esp. for supporting the bottom of a bed, or securing a saddle. Usually in pl.(1) 1513 Rentale Dunkeld. fol. 118.
In … vno skenȝe lie girddis 1566 Treas. Acc. XI. 462.
Thre skanȝe girdis 1566 Fleming Q. Mary 499.
Tuay skenȝeis of girdis to bind up the bedde Ib. 500.
Four skenȝe of girdis to bind thame [sc. palliasses] with 1568 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. VI. 658/1.
The couering of twa stullis with ledder, and coppir naillis and girdis to thame(2) 1586 Treas. Acc. MS. 59 b.
Stark silkin points to hold doun the covering to the girdis [of a saddle] 1586 Wedderburn Compt Bk. 114.
Alexander Peirsone … hes boruit fra me … my blew sadill, the girdis and stirrowbis c1590 J. Stewart 69/159.
The comte … vold not fald So that his girddis vas constraind to crak 1608 Crim. Trials III. 46.
The Lairdis horse making some sturr, his girdis brack, and the Laird fell 1697 Foulis Acc. Bk. 216.
For a duzen bukles for girds

2. A hoop for a barrel, tub, etc. 1531 Treas. Acc. V. 460.
For onputting of lx girdis apoun the pipis and punsiounis 1558 Ib. X. 432.
To the cowperis for thair laubouris in … onlaying of certane new girdis upon the saidis barrellis 1562 Ib. XI. 204.
xii bowtis of quhaill horne to be girdis to the vardingallis 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Menetum.
Ane stock horne, quhilk commounlie is maid of timmer & wood, or tree, with circles & girds of the same 1598 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 675.
For thre girdis to the water tub 1607–8 Misc. Spald. C. V. 136.
To Gilbert Blak, coupar, for fyve firlottis … with irne girds 1625 Brechin Test. IV. 219 b.
Ane buckat with iron girdis 1663 Stirling Comm. Good 14.
8 prickis & balkis & bottom girds to the pecks