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.
‡CRESS, n. and v. Sc. form of Eng. crease, fold or wrinkle (Sc. 1818 Sawers Dict. Sc. Lang.). Known to Bnff.4 1927, Abd.28 1947.
1. n.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 60, s.v. beggar plaits:
Cresses in the skirts of garments. Beggars' weeds are frequently pleated this way, from their lying and sitting on them.
2. v.Sc. 1776 Weekly Mag. (14 March) 384:
Notes of the bank of Scotland, one of which had been worn in the shape of a letter folded up, and much cressed in the two folds.Rnf. 1840 J. Mitchell Wee Steeple's Ghaist 122:
I'm wae to see my braw new gown My spik-an'-span new printed gown Sae cress'd an' press'd.Ayr. 1824 Galt Rothelan I. ii. viii.:
Seeing Sir Gabriel de Glowr cressing and close-folding . . . the broidered vestments of the little page.
