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.
Curfur(e, -for, -phour, n. Also: curefew, curfoyr, -foir. [ME. curfew(e, -feu, -fu (c 1440), e.m.E. curpheue, etc. Cf. Courfeu.] Curfew. Also attrib. with bell.(1) 1429 Reg. Episc. Brechin II. 27.
A primo pulsu vesperum usque ignitegium quod dicitur Curefew 1503 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 72.
The sagristane … sale ger ring curfoyr continuale at hour and tyme aucht and wont a1540 Freiris Berwik 286.
Be thay come heir it wes so verry lait Curfur wes rung, and closit wes thair ȝait 1560 Inverness B. Rec. I. 46.
For vphaldyn of the seruice of the kyrk in ryngyn of curfur and matens with the bellis 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 129 b.
Quhen curfure (coverfew) is rung in, he sall come forth with twa wapons(2) c1500 Interl. Droich 135.
Far fra the sound of curphour bell To dwell thinkis nevir me 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 355.
For mending of the curfor bell 1561–2 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 157.
For hinging and buklinge of the curfoir bell 1563–4 Ib. 189.
For certane irne wark to curfur bell 1583–4 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 217.
For the eik of ane cord to the curphour bell 1595 Ib. 565.
To mend the part off the tow quhilk ringis the curfor bell
