Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DRYSTER, n.
1. The person in charge of the drying of the grain in a kiln (Cai.7, Abd.2 1940).Abd. 1949 Abd. Press & Jnl. (22 Jan.):
The fire was discovered by . . . a dryster, who was working in the mill and saw flames shooting up one of the two kiln shafts.Per. 1871 Per. Constit. Jnl. (18 Sept.):
The said Madison, dryster in the Mill of Errol.Slg. 1715 Burgh Rec. Slg. (1889) 141:
Allowes John Millar, dryster at the bridge, half ane croun weekly for the tyme he has attended at the said bridge to give accompt to the guard of the persons that goe out and come in thereat.Rnf. 1792 A. Wilson Watty and Meg ii.:
Dryster Jock was sitting crakey, Wi' Pate Tamson o' the hill.
†2. “One whose business is to dry cloth at a bleachfield” (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.2).
[Dry, v. + -ster, as in Dempster, etc. O.Sc. has drystar, -er, in sense 1., from 1482.]
