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.
Quotation dates: 1636-1685
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Kirn(e)-staff, -stalff, n. [Cf. late ME. scharnstafe (c 1475), e.m.E. churm-staff.] A churn-staff or dasher used in a churn. — 1636 Edinburgh Testaments LVII. 259b.
Ane milk syther, ane kirne staff 1653 Ib. LXVII. 146.
Ane kirne & kirn stalff estimat both to ane pund four shillings 1685 Proceedings of Society of Antiquaries LVIII. 362.
In the Milkhouse … 2 kirns, 2 kirne staffs
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"Kirn-staff n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/kirne_staff>
