A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sternit, Sterrit, Starnyt, Starrit, (ppl.) adj. Also: sternyt, starned, sturrit. [ME and e.m.E. stirrede (a1225), sterrede (c1380), stared (14th c.); Stern(e n.]
1. Of the heavens or sky: Being the location of the (fixed) stars; studded with stars, starry.(a) c1515 Asl. MSI 171/4, 5.
Fra Saturnus to the sternit hevyn are xxxiijm iiijc & xxxvj mylis Than fra the erd to the sternit hevyn ar Icm iijc and xvij mylis 1513 Doug. v xiv 22.
Quhen that the swift god of sleip gan slide Furth of the starnyt [Sm. sternit, Ruddim. sternyt] hevin by nychtis tide(b) 1513 Doug. i v 55.
Eik thou salt rays abuf the sterrit sky The manfull Eneas and hym deify 1513 Doug. xii iv 55.
Goddis … Abuf the hevyn ydred and starrit sky 1513 Doug. xiii x 73.
The god almychty from his starrit hevin [etc.]
2. a. Studded with precious stones or gold as the sky is studded with stars. b. Of buttons: ? Marked with star-like decoration.a. 15.. Clar. v 1729.
Ane lustie huid [etc.] … With pearlis … and rubies … Sternit ouer all 1561–2 Inv. Q. Mary App. cxli.
Ane frontale and ane pendikill of blak weluous sternit with goldb. 1586-7 Acc. Lady Bellenden 4.
To the same ix dozone starned buttons at viij s.
c. Of cattle: Marked with a star.(a) 1697 Old-lore Misc. VIII 9.
Black humbled starned steir, sex yeir old 1697 Old-lore Misc. VIII 74.
A broun humbled starned ox steirk(b) 1581 Prot. Bk. J. Robertsone 18.
Ane blak sturrit steir
