A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Chirming, Chyrmyng, vbl. n. [Late ME. (Caxton), f. the vb.] Chirping, chattering.1456 Hay II. 64/35.
He dois evin as a juge that … jugis … be the chirmyng of foulis, or be the berking of doggis, and syk lyke thing 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 70.
Smale byrdis, … In chyrmyng and with cheping changit thar sang 1595 Duncan Appendix.
Augur, a gesser be the chirming of birds, ‘ab avium garritu’ Urquhart Rabelais iii. xiii.
The … chirming of linets, croaking of ravens, screeching of owls
