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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCREE, n.², v.¹ Also skrae, skree. [skri:]

I. n. 1. A riddle or sieve, in gen., a box-shaped hand-riddle used for sifting grain, lime, sand, coal or the like (Lth. 1808 Jam., skrae; Arg.² 1931; Per., Slg., Fif., Lth., Lnk., Ayr. 1969). Also in Eng. dial.; an arrangement of parallel bars arranged on a slope over which coal is passed at a pithead to remove dross (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 58). Combs. scree-bar; scree-man, the worker who superintends the riddling of the coal at a pit-head (Sc. 1917 Dict. Occup. Terms (H.M.S.O.) 14); scree-plate, an iron plate on to which the screed coal is discharged (Ib.).Abd. 1788 Philorth Baron Court Book MS IV 48:
The Fanners for winnowing their Shilling, and a Scree for Sifting their Shilling. Abd. 1788 Philorth Baron Court Book MS V 63:
They are also obliged to renew the fanners when necessary and to renew and uphold the Scree.Lth. 1825 Jam.:
Skrae. It is principally used in a mill, for separating the dust and seeds from the shelling.Slg. 1832 Fife Herald (11 Oct.):
The thrashed grain is received from the lower part of the machine into a hopper, by which it is conducted through the floor into a riddle, made in the form of a scree.Lnk. 1893 T. Stewart Among the Miners 122:
A collier's coat cam' ower the scree.Lnk. 1954 Scotsman (27 Nov.) 3:
Set Weighs and Weights, 2 screes, sack-Barrow.Sc. 1991 T. S. Law in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 34:
Siccan coal-hyuchs thae days were caad
the ham-an-egg pits bi the laud
that taen his faither's byte ower screes:

2. A screen of fine wires between which the strings are passed in a harness loom to guide the pattern (Ayr. 1969).

II. v. To riddle, sift coal, etc. (Arg. 1931; Fif., Lth., Lnk. 1969).