A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1560, 1662
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(Rede-refar,) Reid-reifar, Read-reiver. [Red(e adj. 9 and Refar n.] The name given to some evil spirit or devil. —1560 Rolland Seven Sages 3995.
This bald bitter bitche, This reid reifar, and this rank warlo witche 1662 Criminal Trials III 606.
The … sevinth sprit is called the Read Reiver and he is … clothed in blak
