A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ruf(e)-tre, Ruif-tre, n. Also: roof- and -tree, -trie. [Late ME and e.m.E. roof (or ruff) tree (Prompt. Parv.), roffetre (c1475); Ruf(e n.1] A horizontal pole running along and supporting the top ridge of a roof, tent, etc.; the main beam of a roof. Also fig.1506 Treas. Acc. III 188.
For mending of the ruf tree of the said pailȝoun, ij s. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 448.
The ruif tre of all this haill maissoun c1575 Balfour Pract. 588.
Gif thair be ony baik-house … that has not betwix the rufe-trie of the house and the fornax auchtene fute of heicht [etc.] —c1475 Wall. (1570) vii 449.
Quhen brandis fell of rufe treis thame amang Ib. v 209.
Ane greit rufe tre he had into his handfig. c1500 Makc. MS v 34.
Quhen thow art ded & laid in layme [ed. bayme] And thi ribbis ar thi ruf tre a1568 Bann. MS 77a/49.
All joy in erd thow sall nocht compt ane peis Quhen that the ruiftre lyis vpoun thy neis —1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 525.
The roof-tree of the fair temple of my Lord Jesus is fallen
