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.
IRON-EER, n.comb. Also irne-; -near; -ever (Cai.). Ferric oxide, rust, esp. when found as a red deposit in soil or water or as a stain on linen (Abd. 1880 Jam.; Cai. (-ever), Abd. 1958). Also attrib.Abd. 1851 W. Anderson Rhymes 98:
D'ye think the water is less clear Comes frae my spoot; Or is't because the iron eer Is a' run oot?Cai. 1916 John o' Groat Jnl. (14 April):
The ground often had a hard “pan” or bottom, and on some parts “iron-ever” or chalybeate fairly hindered growth.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (27 Nov.):
Such narrow gauge tiles were inadequate to carry off anything more than a mere trickle of mud and ironeer.Kcd. 1955 Mearns Leader (13 May):
Jist a drappie fae the iron-eer spring up the roadside there.
Hence iron-eerie, -y, ¶-ory, impregnated with iron, chalybeate, rusty (Abd. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1958).Bch. 1735 J. Arbuthnot True Method (1811) 67:
A cold soil, composed of clay and sand, intermixed with ore, which goes by the appellation of ironory haughs.Abd. 1889 W. Allan Sprays I. 18:
We've ironeerie spoots at hame we'd fain pree whan we're dry.Abd. 1902 E.D.D.:
That water's awfu' ironeery. That's a fine drink o' ironeery water.
