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.
Sterny, -ie, Starny, -ie, Sterrie, -ye, adj. Also: sturie. [ME and e.m.E. sterry (Chaucer), starry (1551); Stern(e n.]
1. Of the heavens, night: Displaying numerous stars, starry.1513 Doug. ix vii 13.
For the brycht helm in twynkland starny [Sm., Ruddim. sterny] nycht Mythis Eurilly with bemys schynand lycht
b. The sternie hevin, firmament, round, the sphere of the fixed stars, the vault of heaven.c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 189.
Abone Phebus is situate, full euin, Maist awfull God vnder the sternie heuin c1552 Lynd. Mon. 187.
Birdis … Quhose noyis did to the sterrye heuin redounde c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6045.
The erth lyke christall salbe cleir, And euerilk planeit in his speir Sall rest, withouttin more moueyng, Boith sterny heuin and christellyng a1605 Montg. Misc. P. li 26.
The asters cleir, and torchis of the nicht, Quhilk in the sterrie firmament wer fixit c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxiv 2.
The staitlie fornace of the sterrie round The loftie wolt of wandring planettis sewin
c. Of light: From the stars.1587-99 Hume 64/10.
Quhen darkenes hes the heauen revest, Bot ather moone or starnie light
2. transf. or fig. Star-like. b. ? Ornamented with star-like or star-shaped decoration or jewels. Cf. Sternit ppl. adj. 2 a.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1150 (L).
The byrriall stremys rynnand ouyr sterny [E. stanerie] greis Maid sobir noys 1618 Trial Isobel Inch 9.
She declarit hir milk was in the over scruiff thairof starny lyk unto starnis of meltit buttirb. 1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI 173.
The littel gouldin tablet with in it ane rid stane … with my wyfis gould sturiebelt
