Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Halfer, Halfar, n. Also: halffer, -ar, hawfar. [f. Half a. or n., with obscure ending.] Only in pl.: A half-portion, a half-share. Chiefly in the phr. in halferis, in halves; jointly, in partnership. 1517 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 445.
Scho had ane young swyne in hawfaris betuix hir and Elene Crippill, quharfore the said Elene protestit for the profittis of the half of the said swyne 1570 Rec. Earld. Orkney 131.
Of the xij merkis land of Nes, the tent penne and the ferd thairof tane of the haill, and than the rest in halfarris 1579 Inverness Rec. I. 271.
Thomas … wrangusle … tuike the beir that was sawin betuix him and the said William in halffaris with the said William his seid 1591 Edinb. Test. XXIII. 43 b.
Ane vther biehyiff in halfferis, price of the defunctis half xxs. 1623 Orkney & Zetl. Test. I. 94.
He ordanis that his said spous sall have the best hors at the hous, by the said halferis