Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MUSH, v.2, n.3
I. v. To ornament a garment, etc., by cutting out the material into a pattern with a stamp, or notching the edges with pinking scissors, esp. applied to the making of grave-clothes (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Abd., Edb. 1963); to scallop or make into flounces or plaits, as in ornamenting the edge of a woman's bonnet (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Cld. 1880 Jam.). Vbl.n. mushin, work of this nature, material ornamented in this way (Cld. 1880 Jam.).Sc. 1701 Sc. Antiquary XII. 66:
Which chire is to be lyned with fyne grey cloath musht about it.Sc. 1705 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 369:
To pay for 2 ell and a quarter grein cloath to be musht in stead of fringes to the chariot . . . the broad thereof being 8 ell, at 6 sh. the ell, mushing the narrow, being 17 ell, at 1 sh. the ell.Sc. 1711 Tatler (13 Jan.):
That Captain James Cavaille Merchant at Couper in Fife, sells all sorts of dead Woollens, ready made after the newest Fashion, Sued and Mushed for Men, and Women, and Children.Sc. 1752 J. Louthian Process 9:
The Justice-General's [Robe] being lined with Ermine for Distinction, and the Justice-Clerk's being distinguished by Out-cuttings or Mushings.Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 96:
Its hands Seem'd ty'd, as dead corse wont to be, Wi' linen mush'd-out bands.
II. n. A nick or notch, esp. that made by scissors (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
[O.Sc. muschett, flounced, puffed, 1567. musching, flouncing, 1600, O.Fr. moucher, to cut all round, trim.]
