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)hroud, Schrowd(e, n.1 Also: schroude, schrewd; ? Schrod. [ME and e.m.E. scrud (c1200), srud (c1205), schrud (a1225), schrowde (14th c.), OE scrúd. Cf. ON skrúd fittings, tackle, gear, ornaments, apparel, etc.]
1. Dress or clothing; a garment; the plumage of a bird.c1450-2 Howlat 891 (A).
Than was he schand of his schape and his schroude schane Off alkyn colour most cleir beldit abone Ib. 914.
So fair is my fetherem I haf no falowe, My schrowde and my schene weid schire to be schawin c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 252.
I wes schene in my schrowd and schew me innocent
b. specif. Protective clothing worn in combat; armour.In Clar., ? referring also to the weapons used in jousting.a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 599.
Schaip the evin to the schalk, in thi schroud schene Ib. 968.
Sa wondir scharply he schare throu his schene schroud 1535 Stewart 21164.
Thair semelie schroud likeas siluer schene 15.. Clar. ii 1676.
The kingis heralds larglie cryit aloud, Of gold and silver, and of seimlie schroud, Gevin to them Ib. v 2006.
Syne to the scharpe assay of knightlie schroud Addressit lordis with thair speiris joynit
2. A set of clothes; an outfit.1571 Crail B. Ct. MS 29 May.
The said James suld haif delyuerit to the said Jhone tua schrewdis of new claythis ane to the haly day and ane to the wark day at his entre to the said James seruice 1579–80 Ib. 2 Feb.
Ane schrowd off new clothis
3. One of a set of ropes, usu. in pairs, leading from the head of a ship's mast, and giving the mast lateral support.Cf. ME in this sense, coll. sing. (1351–2 in Sandahl Middle English Sea Terms III pp. 95–7) and pl.1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Carchesia, the hoillis of the mast quhair the schroudis ar festinnit 1613 Soc. Ant. X 223.
The haill furnishing to the bark … for thrie [gap in MS] stringis to be welding to the schroudis 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 70.
A couple of knights … Clamm up the shrouds and wrought han-span [= *Han(d)-span]
