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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.

FREUCH, adj. Also fro(o)ch. Dry and brittle (ne.Sc. 1953); of wood, flax or “corn that has recovered from the effect of rain in harvest” (n.Sc., Ags. 1808 Jam., frooch); “coarse in the grain and rough, as wood, etc.; not tenacious, loose in texture” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., froch). Deriv. frocky, id. (Sh. 1900 E.D.D.). [fru:x, frʌx]Abd. 1755 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 31:
The swingle-trees flew in flinders, as gin they had been as freuch as kail-castacks.
Abd. 1832 A. Beattie Poems 119:
“You lie fu' low, sir,” Johnny said, “But blame thy freuch and faithless blade.”
Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Sangs 41:
The crumler maks the grun' fu' freuch, Wi' win' in ilka bore, O.

[O.Sc. freuch, frail, brittle, c.1475, Mid.Eng. frouh, id., of obscure origin.]

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