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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ersch(e, a. and n. Also: Eirsche, Ers(e, Eirse. [Reduced form of Erisch. In later dial. as eersh.]

1. adj. Irish; Highland, Gaelic.(1) Brus xiv. 123 (E).
Thir Ersch kingis I spak off ar 1491 Treas. Acc. I. 177.
To Martyn, clareschaw, and the toder Ersche clareschaw 1496 Ib. 288.
The Erschman [that] com oure the Month with the King to Meffane c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 145.
Ersch katherane, with thy polk breik and rilling c 1564 Glasgow Test. II. 61.
I leif to … ers Anne ane wyle coitt 1591 Crim. Trials I. 250.
Catherene Campbell, ane Ersch womane with ane fallin neise(2) c1475 Wall. i. 217.
Ane Ersche mantill it war thi kynd to wer(3) 1535 Stewart 44240.
That place to name Dundie he hes gart call In Ers toung 1573 Inverness B. Rec. I. 229.
Androw McPhaill, minister in the Erse toung of Innernis and Pettie

2. n. The Gaelic language; Erse. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 116.
Thae tarmegantis … Ffull lowd in Ersche begowth to clatter 1567 Inverness B. Rec. I. 146.
The said Ewin … dang me wyth his naiffis and callit me in Erse blew lowsie minister c1615 Chron. Kings 151.
The careyaris of wictuellis, quhilkis wes boyis, callit in Eirsche, pok-braikis Ib. 157.
He … had nocht the Scottis tung, nor na langage bot Eirse