A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
S(c)haird, She(a)rd, n. Also: shard. [ME and e.m.E. sherd (Wyclif), also shord (Id.), shard (1488), OE sceard, MDu. scharde.] lit. and in fig. context: A shard, a fragment of broken earthenware.To break, or ding, in shairds, to smash; to break into pieces or fragments.(1) a1561 Norvell Meroure 20b.
That rod without regaird, Shall brecke & breiffe them, as an pottars shaird a1605 Montg. Devot. P. ii 33.
Quhairvith thou sall Evin bruis thame all In peces, lyk a potters shaird a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1285.
Quhair the pig broke let the schairds lie ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 132.
Ingentemque manu sherdam levavit 1684 Law Memor. 232.
Sheards(2) 1641 Baillie I 355.
Had the wind been as it was the day before, … our veshell had been dung in shards a1651 Calderwood VI 337.
To breake the greatest in schairds, as earthen vessels
