A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Fery, Feirie, a. Also: ferie, feiré, feerie. [Related to Fere a.] Active, nimble.c1420 Wynt. ix. 970.
The Kyng wes febill for elde, And alsua his eldare swne Wes noucht fery a1500 Prestis of Peblis 454.
The king was … Ane feirie man on fute or ȝit on hors 1513 Doug. vi. v. 20.
He was … Als fery and als swippir as a page 1540 Lynd. Sat. 394 (B).
Dowt not, schir, bot ȝe will get hir; We salbe fery [Ch. feirie] for to fet hir a1568 Scott ii. 71.
Syme flew als fery as a fowne a1700 Mare of Colinton in Watson's Coll. i. 59.
Of foot he is not feerie, And may not deal with travel
