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.
Quotation dates: 1714-1715, 1769-1775
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†GREESE, n. An obs. form of Eng. grease in comb. greese butter, rancid butter, used as sheep salve, etc. Also in Yks. dial.Ork. 1769 P. Fea MS. Diary:
Dec. 27: Got from Rob Twat . . . ane half barrell of greese butter.Sc. 1775 Caled. Mercury (19 June):
He has at his cellars in Leith, a considerable quantity of good Orkney Greese Butter.
Phr.: to rule the greese, ? = to rule the roast. The reading in the quot. is doubtful.Sc. p.1714 Jacobite Minstr. (1829) 69:
He [Geo. I] was brought o'er to rule the greese, But, faith, the truth I'll tell, sir; When he takes on his good dame's gees, He canna rule himsel' sir.