A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Nerve, Nerf(fe, v. Also: nerft; narve, narff. [F. nerver id. (1353 as a term of goldsmith's work, 1551 of tailoring or embroidery, Godef. Compl.). Only Sc.] tr. To apply (? also, inset) bands of material to (a garment), for ornament.(a) 1525 Treas. Acc. V. 253.
iij quarteris of blak vellous to nerffe the said cot 1532 Ib. in Crim. Trials I. i. 276.
To … the Kingis Robeyn Hwde … ane pair of hoise … for ij elnis taffate to draw thame and nerf thame 1551 Treas. Acc. X. 30.
vj quarteris taffiteis of the four threiddis to lyne and nerft his hois Ib. 36.(b) 1532 Treas. Acc. VI. 24.
For foure elnis blak taffateis to nerve and geit thaim [sc. hose] Ib. 78.(c) 1539 Treas. Acc. VII. 54.
Black welvot … to narff his grace goune 1543 Ib. VIII. 233.
For half ane elne of velvet to narve the tane of the saidis coittis 1544–5 Ib. 355.
Thre quarteris … of velvet to narve the said cote of moran grane 1546 Ib. IX. 23. 1548–9 Ib. 279.
