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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DERF, adj. Also derff, durf. Now only literary.

1. Of persons: (1) Bold, daring, hardy; “severe, cruel” (Abd. 1825 Jam.²).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 85:
For they're a derf an' root hewn cabbrack pack, An' stark like stanes, an' soon wad prove our wrack.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS.:
Ye wad hae seen some derff billies in yer time on the saut seas.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 142:
While derf auld Brookie's bone-fire lowes, Wi' rampin' gleed.Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems 154:
His look their very hearts did stun; 'Twas derff, you may suppose.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 48:
A derf man he wis, my mither's faither,
thrawart as winter trees that bend
but winna brak.

Hence (a) derfly, boldly, fiercely, roughly; (b) derfness, boldness.(a) Sc. 1846 Anon. Muckomachy 47:
And frae ilk plouk, Thus derfly strook, Ae drap o' blood cam oozin' out.Abd. 1788 J. Skinner Christmass Bawing xxi. in Caled. Mag. 502:
Whare Pate's right spawl by hap was bare, He derfly dang the bark Frae's shin that day.(b) Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Sc. Sangs 44:
There's fouth o' derfness i' their herts, They're stappit fu' o' farrach.

(2) “Unbending in manner, possessing a sullen taciturnity” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.), stolid.Ags. 1881 J. S. Neish By-ways of Life 153:
His lank and ungainly figure, heavy “cloiting” gait, and the “durf” or stolid expression of his cadaverous countenance were not calculated to strike a stranger.Ags. 1912 A. Reid Forfar Worthies 63:
Chap Hoo . . . was a derf-looking, saturnine individual.

2. Of things: hard, rough.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 28:
I counted as a man, At least for size, an' art o' han', To wield the derf fore-hammer.Ags. 1816 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (1826) 20:
They praised My alabaster skin, Alas! now wrinkelt, derf, and din.