A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Peter, -ir, attrib. [e.m.E. peter in peter man (= a manufacturer of saltpetre; 1594), also as noun in oyl of peter (1653), L. petra, Gk. πέτρα a rock.] Only in oyle (ulie) peter, rock oil, petroleum. = oyle petrole, s.v. Petrole attrib. —1581 Edinb. Test. IX. 106 b.
Ane pund wecht of vlie petir price xl s. 1586 Ib. XVI. 366.
Thrie pund wecht of spett vlie petir 1596 Elgin Rec. II. 45.
That scho oyilit Nicoll Vatsounes hand and that it wes oyle peter that wes layid to his hand
