A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Kerf, n. [e.m.E. and ME. kerf(e (1356), act of cutting, piece cut off, also kyrf, OE. cyrf.] In cloth-shearing, the quantity of material taken off at one cutting. —c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1905.
On the hals of his helm a kerf he made And parit of his hawbrek a hand bred1682 New Mills Manuf. 32.
The master … to contract with the shearmen for cutting the cloth att soemuch a kerf
