Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kirn, n.¹ Also: kirne, kyrn(e, kirin; kerne. [North. ME. (1338–9) and e.m.E. kirne, ON. kirna, beside ME. chyrne (c 1425), cherne, OE. cyrin (*cirn).] A churn. Also comb. with butter-, milk-.(1) 1478 Acta Aud. 82/1.
A mylk kyrn xij d. 1546 Ex. Processes Merschell v.
Tua kirnis price … v s. 15.. Wyf Awcht. 70.
Muire. Albeit na butter he cowld gett Ȝit he wes cummerit with the kyrne 1587 Maxwell Mem. II. 162.
I aschame that my howis sowld stand lyik ane twme kirne, being sa neir apoint 1597 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 390.
A mekill kirne [6 s. 8 d.] a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1089.
Na man can seek his marrow so weil in the kirne as he that hes bein in it himself    1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 14.
Scho wrocht at the kirn a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 995.
I will learne yow ane other use, nor wasch your feit in the kirne 1616 Dalyell Darker Superst. 264.
The lid of hir kirne wald be weit gif she had the profeit of hir milk 1624 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 144.
To … cast the hair in the kirne, and say thryse, Cum butter, cum 1630 Glasgow Trades House 139.
Ane unsufficient kirne wherein of befoir he was dischargit 1633 Orkney Bishop Ct. 85 b.
All the milk that was in the kirin was found on the floore 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 362.
In the Milkhouse, … 2 kirns(b) 1681 Biggar 138.
Ane stand, ane say, ane kerne, and two four gallon trees 1703 Old Ross-shire I. 128.
Butter kerne, 4 coggs, … timber plate, sowen kitt(2) 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 20 (M).
I brak my heid vpon ane kirne of reim 1580 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 108.
To pay … for ane kirne with milk scho spilt to him 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 111.
The said Katheran … hettand ane kirn of milk, quhilk milknes … wald na wyis yirnn