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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fedder, Feddir, n. Also: feder, fedir, feddar, fader. [ME. fedder, feder, var. of fether, feþer, OE. feðer. Cf. Fether.]

1. A feather in the plumage of a bird.c1450-2 Howlat 885.
Than ilk foule of his flicht a fedder has tane And lent to the howlat a1500 Henr. Fab. 2791.
How can thow fleit without fedder or fin? a1500 Seven S. 2029.
In me is nocht ane vnhurt fedder With rane, fyreflaucht, & all ill wedder c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlvi. 14.
A nychtigall … Quhois angell fedderis as the pacok schone 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 466.
Cochrame … Forsit thame to flee, bot ȝit thay wantit fedderis a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxv. 43.
Hir fedderis ar richt fair & of ane hevinlie hew 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 135.
Thow cumis to ane of the said geis, and plucks thrie fedders aff of hirfig. 1626 Garden Worthies 125.
If that thy virtue, … or thy worth Now furnishes more fedders to thy fame

2. A feather used for some purpose, esp. as an ornament or (pl.) for stuffing cushions or beds.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 757.
Ane bow he bent, ane flane with fedderis gray He haillit to the heid 1538 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 91.
To ilk ane of the said officeris ane marabas bonet with ane quhyte fedder 1539 Treas. Acc. VII. 50.
Ane fedder for the hors heid 1565 Ib. XI. 439.
ij dosane of flouris maid of fedderis 1626 Edinb. Test. LIII. 318 b.
Four grit bussis of fedderis vpon the knappis of the beddis c1650 Spalding I. 274.
Haveing blew bonnetis on thair heidis. with fedderis vaveling in the wynd(2) 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 32.
For ij stane fedderis to the Kingis cuschingis 1512 Ib. IV. 202.
vj bosteris fillit with federis 1566 Fleming Q. Mary 499.
Ane stane of fedderis to put in the bowster 1597 Bk. Rates 5.
Fedderis the stane … vi li

3. Attrib. with bowster, cod.1482 Acta Aud. 109/1.
Twa nop beddis, … a feder bowster 1615 Haddington Corr. 292.
Of feddar boustaris, ij 1631 Edinb. Test. LV. 63 b.
Ane auld clouttit fedder bouster —1626 Ib. LIII. 243 b.
Aucht fedder & downe coddes

13573

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