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.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1493-1566
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Ferter, Fertour, n. Also: fertre, fertir(e, fertyre, fertur, fertoure, firtir. [ME. fertre (c 1330), fertur, OF. fiertre, L. feretrum.]
1. A shrine or reliquary.(a) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxiii. 459.
Thane commandit he men to … mak Ilkane of thame a fertre sere, To lay thame in a1400 Ib. xli. 346.(b) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxi. 919.
The pupule come to se His fertyre, & til hyme pray a1400 Ib. xl. 733.
The quhilk fertir men beris ay … Til a chepal be-owt þe ton 1493 Liber Aberbr. 277.
Marchis and deuisis … deuidit be the saidis assisowris of perambulacione … sworne tharto apone Sanct Marnoys ferteris in presens of the Kyngis iustice 1506 Treasurer's Accounts III. 280.
The Kingis offerand in Quhithirn at the Rude altair at the ferter, in the utir kirk 1535 Stewart 45490.
Of Sanct Thomas translatit wer the bonis Intill ane ferter that tyme fra his graif(c) 1511 Treasurer's Accounts IV. 176.
Offerit to Sanct Serfis fertur xiiij s. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 344.
King Alexander … tuke up the bonis of … Sanct Margaret, and put thame in ane precious fertour of silver 1533 Boece x. iv. 355.
Ane fertoure of fyne gold for conseruacioun of the relikis of Sanct Andro 1558-66 Knox I. 259.
A marmouset idole … was fast fixed with irne nailles upon a barrow, called thare fertour
2. A bier. 1513 Doug. vi. xv. 68.
Quhou mony fertyrris and duyl habetis schyne Sall thou behald
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"Ferter n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ferter_n>
