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.

Holf, n. Also: holff. [Variant spelling of howf Houf(f n.¹ with ol for ou, ow, as in golk, nott for gowk, nowt, by erroneous assimilation to golf, holk, holt, etc., on account of the later pronounciation of these as gowk, howk, hout.]

1. The name of the old burying ground in Dundee, also at one time used as a meeting-place for the trade-guilds,Also (once) as the burying-ground at Forfar. 1581 Dundee B. Laws 247.
At the Holf of Dunde … comperit James Gleg, collector of the craftis of the said burcht 1585 Ib. 520.
The brabenairis … being convenit within the holff and comowne burriall thairoff 1590 Edinb. Test. XXII. 175.
His bodie to be bureit in the holf and sepulture of Dundie 1609 Edinb. Test. XLIV. 353.
The buriall place in the holff of Dundie 1661 Soc. Ant. XXII. 253.
Shee was at a meitting in the church yeard of Forfar in the holfe thereof

2. The timber-yard at Leith. (Cf. tymmer holf, s.v. Tym(m)er n.¹ 5 d.) 1603 Reg. Great S. 517/1.
Lie holffis lignorum et aliorum bonorum, cum granariis et aliis domibus 1617 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 168.
The overtouris proponit for putting of the holf of Leith to ane proffeitt 1630 Ib. VII. 67.
Schoires, raids, lynkis … , burs, holff, hallis, and uther landis