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

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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Scar-crow, Skar-craw, n. (e.m.E. scarre crow (1553), scar crow (1592) a person, or device, to frighten birds, also (1589) fig. = ‘something (not really formidable) that frightens or is intended to frighten’ (OED).) —a1651 Calderwood VII 97.
This was but a skarcraw to putt them in feare, where they needed not feare 1691 Lauder Jrnl. 301.
It may serve for ane beacon and scar-crow to the descendants to hold of thesse rocks and shelves

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