Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FAIRD, n., v. Also fird; fard, ferd (Sh.).

I. n. 1. A hasty or impetuous movement or action; “a strong temporary or momentary exertion” (Lth. 1825 Jam.); a bustle, great haste (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). Hence fairdie, hasty in temper, irascible. See also Ferdy.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 16:
E'en tho there was a drunken Laird To draw his Sword, and make a Faird In their Defence.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 107:
As they did rin wi' sic a faird, They brak the liggat o' the yard.Sc. 1821 Scots Mag. (April) 352:
I aiblins hae gaen oure far wi' you; an' giff I hae done sae dinna grow fairdie.Lth. 1825 Jam.:
Let them alane; it's but a faird; it'll no last lang, they'll no win far afore us. I'm for constant work; I dinna like a faird, and awa' wi't that way.Lnk. a.1832 W. Watt Poems (1860) 249:
Dame Fortune, wi' her magic wan', In some capricious fird The dice-box touch'd.Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
“He went off wi' a ferd” — he started at a rapid pace.

2. A fuss, pother, to-do.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems 186:
By counting kin, and making endless Faird, If that their Granny's Uncle's Oye's a Laird.

II. v. “To bustle; to bandy ill words with” (Sc. 1818 Sawers).