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.
HURD, n. Also hord (Jak.), ¶hurge; hurdin, hurdon, hordin; hurdik, hordek. [′hʌrd(ɪn)]
1. A heap or pile, e.g. of peats (Sh. 1957); specif. the amount of corn that can be dried in a kiln (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); the quantity required to be dried in a pot over the fire when making Bursten (Ib., 1914 Angus Gl.). Also in gen. a large number, a mass.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 172:
In a corner of the looder stood a toyeg . . . containing as much corn as would be a hurd o' burstin.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 246:
Yon grit hurge o hooses new.
2. A big boulder, a large piece of rock, esp. by the sea-shore (Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Old Sh. Dial. 48, hurdik, Norsk in Shet. 65, hurdin, 1908 Jak. (1928), hordin, Sh. 1957).Sh. 1953 Manson's Sh. Almanac 125:
The sea breaks with hollow echo among the hurds and holes at the cliff foot.
3. Fig. A big clumsy person, usually a woman (Jak.).
[Norw. dial. urd, a heap of stones, O.N. urð, id. Variants have -in(g), -ek suffixes.]
