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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Refer, -ferr(e, n. Also: -feire. Pl. also -ferries. [Only Sc., f. Refer v.¹ 3.]

1. A matter referred to another person or body or consideration or action; or a written statement of this.Common in the 17th c., in records of church administration.(1) 1602 Bk. Univ. Kirk III 989.
Anent the referris and petitiouns of the Synod of Fyfe givin in to this present Assemblie 1602 Ellon Presb. 36. 1625 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 9 Feb.
The minister reportit that he hade giffin ane refer to Mr. George Clark to caus James Ogstoun cum and giff obedience to our session 1629 Aberd. Council Lett. I 304.
Latt it be ane refer to the nixt conventioun generall 1646 Moray Synod 74.
Anent the referre from the presbyterie of Elgine concerning mariages made by priests … it was referred to … the General Assemblie a1650 Row 59.
[The] Moderator … haveing been absent fra the last Assemblie, and so not acquaint with the referres, did choose assessors to assist him 1649 Cullen Kirk S. 18 Nov.
Therefor the session ordained a referr to be sent to Fordyce from this session 1649 Strathbogie Presb. 104.
Anent the referr of the Provinciall Assemblie for receauing Mr. William Reid his dimission of his charge 1657 Lanark Presb. 102.
The presbetrie continows the referr anent the erecting of a new church 1671 Inverness Presb. 8. 1673 Dunblane Synod 98. 1676 Cramond Ch. Speymouth 32.
No old referrs except that John Grant … was accused and delated by some of the elders 1688 Banff Field C. (1910–11) 83.
The referre made in favour of Mr. John Irving his supplie is seriouslie recommended to the severall bretheren(b) 1650 Boharm Kirk S. 13 Oct.
This day intimatione was made of the refeires from the Synod of Moray(c) a1700 Soc. Ant. XXVII 496.
The referries of the brethren of the ministrie of Lanerk(2) 1660 Sc. Ch. Hist. Soc. Rec. V 149.
A referre fra the sessions of Airlie and Lentrathen of on Alexander Farquhar … who under pretense of thigging corne [etc.] 1671 Inverness Presb. 14.
Being inquired anent the refer of John M^cIntosh [etc.]

2. A reference in a book.1697 Dallas Stiles 1, Ded.
Your lordship will find that by referrs from one place to another it is of large extent