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.
Reif, n. (OE hréofa n. leprosy, hréof adj. scabby. Cf. later Sc. dial. reif, also rife, ‘a skin disease leaving crusts on the skin, the scab’ (SND, s.v. Reef n.), of the same origin, also e.m.E. riffe a cutaneous eruption (1578) ‘perh. repr. OE hrífþo f. hréof’, also west midl. and north. Eng. dial. reef and ON hjufr scabby.) —a1605 Montg. Flyt. 341 (T).
The tarrie vncame Ay ryvand of ane reif of venymeous water
