Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CONFEERIN, Confeirin, adj. and prep. [kən′fi:rɪn]
1. adj. Suitable, corresponding (Abd.9 1937). Always placed after the noun qualified.Bnff. 1924 “Knoweheid” in Swatches o' Hamespun 83:
A graip wi' grains a half-league lang, A shaft confeerin, an' a bishop te pang The fires o' hell.Abd.(D) 1875 W. Alexander Life Among my Ain Folk 50:
We'll mak' it . . . nine notes for the fee an' the lave confeerin'.
With to or wi': in accordance with, according to (Bnff.2 1937).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 5:
We've words a fouth, that we can ca' our ain, Tho' frae them now my childer sair refrain, An' are to my gueed auld proverb confeerin, Neither gueed fish nor flesh, nor yet sa't herrin.Ags. 1926 (per Ags.7):
His wye o' livin's no confeerin' wi' his means.
2. prep.
(1) Considering, taking everything into consideration (Bnff.2, Abd.2 1937). Used ellipt. with the function of an adverb.Bnff. 1882 W. M. Philip K. MacIntosh's Scholars xvi.:
I dinna think it's an extraordinary question confeerin.Abd.(D) 1755 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 28:
I canna say I had ony cause to wish the body ill, for he did gaylies confeirin.
(2) “In comparison with” (Abd.7 1925). Cf. in confeerance to s.v. Confeerance, above.
[O.Sc. confere, to consider, combine, compare, 1596, variant of confer, Lat. conferre. Confeire as an adv. = accordingly, appropriately, is also found in O.Sc. (D.O.S.T.).]
