Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FARDEN, n.¹ Also fardon, fardin; faurden, faurdin (wm.Sc.), faerden, ferden (-in) (s.Sc.). A farthing. Gen.Sc. Used also in land-assessment for the fourth part of a Pennyland; hist.Sc. 1709 in Analecta Scot. II. (ed. Maidment 1837) 242:
There is not a fardon of it pocked up.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 69:
I'll wad a farden, Than ours there's nane mair fat and fair.Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems I. 28:
To spae their fortune, 'mang the deugh The luckie fardin's put in.s.Sc. 1856 H. S. Riddell St Matthew x. 29:
Arna twa sparras sauld for ae faerden?Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 10:
An a he hed noo wus a fardin rig i the sheed o Tanklid.Lnk. 1926 W. Queen We're a' Coortin 51:
I'll bate a ha'penny scone tae a faurdin' paurley.

Comb.: faurden baum [i.e. “balm”], a clay pipe costing a farthing.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 2:
Chappin the dottle oot o' my faurden baum I laid it doon on the swee.