Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Skelf, S(c)helf, n.¹ Also: skelff, skelfe, skellf(f, scelf, skalf(f, scalve. [ME and e.m.E. schelfe (Chaucer), skelfe (1396-7, north.), OE scylfe, MLG schelf. Cf. ON -skjalf a bench.] A shelf. Also with defining word. Also attrib.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 264.
Baith cheis and butter vpon skelfis hie a1500 Colk. Sow ii 161.
Thow sall haif lo standing in the skelf Quheit breid [etc.] 1553 Edinb. Old Acc. I 76.
Gevin for twa dalis to be ane skelf in the clerkis chalmer 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 155.
We among ws ay sall … rype in faith mony pouir wedois skelf 1560 Old Dundee II 236.
Upon the walls of baith the chalmers skelfs of fir in manner of presses 1561–2 Edinb. Old Acc. II 156.
Makinge of lange skelffis and letteronis and saittis in the ministeris study 1594 Edinb. B. Rec. V 114.
To caus repair the ministers ludgeings in skelffs and other necessaris 1611 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 334.
Skellfes 1631 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 30 March.
For putting in skelffis in the lettroun that hauldis the kirkbuikis, 4 s 1661 Edinb. B. Rec. IX 252.
With open skelfis abone them close to the jeisting 1666 Edinb. Test. LXXII 110b.
Ane skellff with thrie lyones thairon 1683 Inv. in Donibristle Mun. (Earl of Moray's MSS) 8 (9-10 May).
Ane read east Yndia skelf and a broad dish of the same 1683 Inv. in Donibristle Mun. (Earl of Moray's MSS) 9 (9-10 May).
Ane pair of chrystell skelfes. Item fyve pair of litle skelfes of colored wood tortieshell & ivorie with gilded pillars(b) 1663 Stirling Common Good 14b.
For making of scelfs in the chamber of the schoole & covering the beds above … 1 s. 16 d.(c) 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 283.
For maiking of ane halland saitt, burds and skalffis in the clerk's chalmer 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 648/1.
In the pantrie besyde the kitching, ane auld keist of fir … with certane skalfis about the wallis 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 70.
The charlatan … took occasion to show the spectators some vipers he had in a box with scalves in it(d) 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 29 Oct.
For a serkine of birse to sweip the windows and schelfs 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 29 Oct.
To a timber man … for putting 2 scelfis in the buttrie 1688 Peebles B. Rec. II 122.
Ane schelf within the chamber(2) 1595 Inv. Castle Campbell in Argyll Mun. 21 Feb. (Old Argyll MS Inv.).
Cheis skelf 1680 Moncreiffs 668.
2 haingen shelfs 2 brass kliks(3) 1599 Black Bk. Taymouth 335.
Woll kamis … hechillis … cardis … wescheing tubbis … ane lang skelf burde

b. fig. To lay or set (a person or thing) up (on) a heich skelf, to elevate in importance. Also, to draw (someone) upone a skelfe, ?(1) 1622 Lett. Eccl. Affairs II 699.
Hall binkis ar sliddrie … and earthlie courtis ar kittill, and kingis minions ar sett vp on heigh skelffis, bot slipperie and dangerous c1650 Spalding II 257.
Bot this mater wes vtheruaies handlit and laid vpone ane heigher skelf(2) 1625 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 228.
The matter is haisted be the King of France becawss of a legate of the Popes that is cuming whitche he feares maye draw him upone sume skelfe