Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
THARF, adj. Also thairf and met. forms thraf(f). Cold in manner, stiff, unsocial, aloof, backward, reluctant (wm. and s.Sc. 1887 Jam.). Deriv. tharfish, of a shy, timorous, shrinking nature (Id.).Sc. c.1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 207, 319:
She'll not be thraff, if ye be tenty. . . . Did I prove sweer or thraf refusing, While kindly thus ye strake my pow.
