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.
†GORDS, n.pl. “Lands now lying waste, that had formerly been inhabited and cultivated” (Ork. 1808 Jam., 1866 Edm. Gl.). Given in sing. by Marw. (1929) = “a field or park not worth cultivating, but affording good pasturage; obsolete, I think, as a genuine term, but common as a field name.” [gjo:rd, djo:rd]
[Mid. Norw. dial. gjorde, enclosed piece of land, O.N. gerði, a fenced field.]
