A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1512, 1577-1699
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Perch, Pearch, n.1 [ME. and e.m.E. perche (14th c.), F. perche.] A perch, the freshwater fish.(a) 1456 Hay II. 137/31.
The best fische has the maist hard skyn as is gueddes perchis [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS. 34 a.
The perch is a fisch of mony colouris and to swom is rycht swift and has the bak armyt with thornys 1503 Treasurer's Accounts II. 367.
To ane man brocht quyk perches fra Lochlevin 1512 Household Bk. Jas. I V 2 a.
For ii dosane of perchis vi d. a1578 Pitsc. I. 337/9.
The stankis … full of all deliecat fisches as sallmond troutis and perches pykis and eilis 1597 Stirling Ant. III. 309.
jc perchis 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 3 Oct.
3 pycks 4 greate perchis(b) 1587 Carmichael Etym. 4.
Perca, a pearch 16.. Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II. 28.
Ane loch abounding with pykes pearches and yels 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 285.
Whittings … pearches podleyes
