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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

FERRICK, n. Also fairock. A parhelion, mock sun (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 224).Abd. 1904 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (23 April):
It is somewhat unusual, I think, to see a “mock sun” on each side of the great orb. When one of these appeared, either before or behind the sun, the old folks spoke of it as a “fairock.” There was a rhyme about the “fairock,” which varied with its position in relation to the sun. The een it's afore, Ye'll hear o' no more, But the een it's ahin Ye'll shortly fin'.
Gall. 1946 Scotsman (15 July):
In Galloway, for instance, a solar halo was known as a “ferrick.”

[Prob. an aphetic form of atmospheric, used either as a n., or qualifying sun understood.]

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