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.
S(c)harp, S(c)herp, v. Also: s(c)harpe, schairp(e. [ME and e.m.E. sharp(en (c1325), also schyrpen (13th c.), OE *scierpan, scęrpan, scyrpan; S(c)harp adj.] tr.
1. To furnish with a cutting edge or a point; to give (a cutting implement or weapon) a keener edge or (a piercing instrument, etc.) a finer point; to sharpen.(a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 144/121.
As steill dertis scherpit scho his [sc. the eagle's] pennis 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I 176.
The steill to scherp the schawing irne 1664 Maxwell Mem. I 342.
To sherp the coalliers' picks(b) 1513 Doug. vii viii 70.
With a burdon of ane lang stif tre, The poynt scharpit and brynt a litill we Ib. x 62.
Sum … on quhitstanys thar axis scharpis at hame Ib. ix Prol. 93.
I … for hys saik do scharp my pen all new Ib. xiii ii 127.
The cristit fowle … Forto resist hir fa scharpand hir byll 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 224/433.
The wright doth sharpe his hacking axe 1607 Melvill 737.
The heartis, tongues and pennis of Jerusaleme Watchemen … are lyk razoris scharpit and sett ane againes ane uthir 1609 Hilderstoun Silver Mines II 28b.
Steill to scharpe and poynt pickis and gadis with 1622 Peebles B. Rec. I 361.
That nane scharpe [ed. s.harge] spaidis nor worklowmes vpone the brig stanes 1649–50 Aberd. Shore Wk. Acc. 328.
For … bringing the wedges as they were sharpit 1694 Whitelaw Sc. Arms Makers 273.
Bot onlie to dress suordis [etc.] … and scharp bygginets and nae other work of smith trade not belonging to his science(c) 1581-1623 James VI Poems II 155/57.
If his suorde do flee To bloodie schairpe the skabert still c1600 Montg. Suppl. v 18.
Bend thai bowe, Schairp w[e]ill thai schaft
b. fig. To scharp one's tongue or mouth, to speak (or write) maliciously or hurtfully.1567 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 116.
The brethren … sharpit their tongues against me because I admonished them of their duetie c1590 Fowler I 114/53.
To arme thair toungs and scharpe thair mouthes
2. a. To encourage (hostile feeling) to become more intense or acrimonious.c1420 Wynt. viii 2272.
For he persawyd gret malys Agayne hym scharpyd [C. schapyn] mony wys
b. To render more acute (the mind, faculties, senses, feelings, etc.).Also, with the person thus affected as object and reflex.(1) 1460 Hay Alex. 10672.
I latt the witt thow has scharpit oure mynde For grete riches thow sayis is in Ynde 1513 Doug. xii xiii 141.
Thai scharp the dreid to mortale wrachit wightis 1533 Bell. Livy I 196/12.
His feirs curage and sprete was nocht brokin bot scharpit be exile a1578 Pitsc. I 5/13.
Schairp my wit with such expeirence That this wark may finnische with his assistance c1590 J. Stewart 11/15.
My sensis schairpe, And viwelie tham vpsteir c1590 Fowler I 382/125.
He sharpes his subtill will(2) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 300.
To scharp ȝong men in thar ententis 1513 Doug. xii ii 145.
Enee … Scharpys hym self in furour marciall
c. To make (the sea) rough.1513 Doug. iii v 2.
And frosty wyntir scharpit the watir cleir, With cald blastis of the northin art
