A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Par(e)-, Pair-, Perin(g, -yng, vbl. n. [ME. and e.m.E. paring (Wyclif).]
1. The action of paring or preparing, in various senses of Pare v.(a) 1492 Myll Spect. 290/17.
In paryng hir naill hir fyngar bled a lytill 1539 Edinb. Hammermen 155 b.
For paring of the throwchtis(b) 1687–8 Stirling B. Rec. II. 331.
To the baxters at the beking and pering of it [sc. communion bread]
2. concr. What is pared or clipped off.1611 Reg. Privy C. IX. 163.
Thay wald not gif the pairing of thair naill for all the warrantis … that his Majestie … micht send thair
b. plur. in same sense: Clippings, discarded pieces. c. spec. A coarse flour made from the husks of grain (also in this sense in the mod. dial.).b. 1513 Doug. vii. ii. 22.
For falt of fude … thai … The paryngis of thar bred … with thar handis brek 1662 Crim. Trials III. 613.
And pairingis of naillisc. 1678 Aberd. Trades 227.
That none of the craft baik plack bannaks of oatmeal or pairings under the failzie of four pounds
3. Attrib. with -iron and -time in sense 1 c of Pare v.: For, or of, (the) cutting of surface vegetation.1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII. 368.
Belonging to the yairds … 3 pairing irons 1709 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 251.
A pairin yron —a1689 Cleland 96.
Pareing time and all the year Is one to them … Harvest and hay time they're as keen
