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 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Saw-silver, n. [Appar. irreg. reduced var. of Safer-silver n., ? perh. with substitution for the first element of Saw n.² (saying, statement).] Chiefly or only in the Western Borders. = Safer n. — 1598 Reg. Privy C. V 469.
[George Bell in Annand denied the robbery of four cows and calf] afferming giff the said complener could speir thame on him albeit it coist him ane hundreth pundis of saw silver that he sould pay to him the valour of the saidis guidis and saw silver. [Since then] the said complener hes speirit the same on him and hes thairupoun debursit ane hundreth pundis of saw silver 1600 Ib. VI 116.
[Rob Haliday … servant of the said Laird of Johnnestoun was decerned to make redress … of 35 sheep stolen … price of each 40 s. and £20 of] saw silver 1602 Ib. 469.
For the speiring and trying of the quhilkis guidis [pursuer gave 130 merks of] saw silver 1606 Ib. VII 721.
That the Commissionaris [of the Borders] haiff power upoun ony trew manis complaint for stouth [etc.] … to puneis the malefactour and mak redres to the compliner of his guidis and saw silver, for be this doing men wilbe cairfull to speir thair geir and the kingis majestie shall have greater commoditie be the nomber of escheatis that shall fall 1607 Ib. 728.