Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HARDS, n.pl. 1. The coarse refuse of flax or hemp separated by heckling (Sc. 1880 Jam.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.). Now only dial. in Eng.Abd. 1716 Abd. Jnl. N. and Q. VII. 251:
12 March — For . . . ¾ stone hards to my wife 2 libs. 14 shil.Sc. 1818 Scott Letters (Cent. ed.) V. 56:
These Regalia . . . were smuggled out by a clergyman's wife under a quantity of hards of lint.
2. Coarse linen (Sh. 1956).
3. Torches made of rags, or more correctly hards, dipped in tar.Sc. 1829 Scott Guy M. xxvi. Note:
When rags, dipped in tar, are employed [as torches], they are called Hards.
