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.
DESS, DES, DIS(S), Dass, n., v. [dɛs, dæs, dʌs Sh., dɪ̢s Ork.]
1. n. A stack of hay, corn, heather, etc. (Sh.11 1949); a small stack of sheaves set up in a field (Sh.11 1949; Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. (1922) 150, diss, 1929 Marw., dis); “a haystack flat on the top as distinguished from a kol, which is conical” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., dess).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
The mown heather, to be used for thatching purposes, is dried in small, oblong stacks, called riggins, and then stacked up in a larger one, the so-called des.Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 131:
He took the “yards” into his care; and often yarfasted the screws of corn and desses of hay against a storm.Ork. 1767 P. Fea MS. Diary (3 Jan.):
Was oblidg'd to take in a Diss of Otts . . . as I could not cast a Stack.Ork. c.1912 J. Omond Orkney 80 Years Ago 21:
Before carts came into use the sheaves were carried and all screwed together on a grassy knowe. Latterly big houses screwed three rigs together on the field. It stood perhaps a month in the screws or dasses, and was then built.
2. v. To build up sheaves into a stack (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ork. 1924 P. Ork. A. S. II. 82:
“Dissing” of oat-sheaves in 25's.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
It's time we were dissan that stuff (grain).
