A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pirate, n.2 [ME. piriwhit, periwhit (Piers Plowman A), med. L. (Eng.) piretum (Prompt. Parv.), late L. *peratum perry, f. pera, L. pirum pear. Cf. Peirrie n.] Perry. —a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 436 (Th.).
Take … pirate [Ch. peirrie] and syder sour