Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NAPERIE, n. Also nap(e)ry, na(i)prie, napiery. Household or other linen (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 163, 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 44; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Uls. 1953 Traynor), esp. table-linen. Gen.Sc.; a set of bed, table and personal linen which a young girl was expected to spin before marriage (Uls. 1857 Uls. Jnl. Arch. V. 175–6); a particular article of linen, sometimes as a collect. sing. Hence from omission of the following noun in attrib. usage, a storeroom or cupboard for household linen (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.). Comb. napery-press, id. (Kcd. 1722 Elphinstone Bk. (Fraser 1897) II. 276). Gen.Sc. Rare in Eng. from the 17th c.Bte. 1721 Session Bk. Rothesay (1931) 359:
The box to the church napery.Sc. 1746 D. Warrand Culloden Papers (1930) V. 68:
4 pair fine linen shets; 24 “napries”.Sc. 1746 Woodhouselee MS. 70:
They sent to Lady Strathnaver for 12 dozen napry for the Prince's use.Ayr. 1822 Galt Provost xxxviii.:
All the best of her sheets and napery.Per. 1831 Perthshire Advert. (22 Dec.):
Drawing Room, principal Bed Room, and Dressing Closet, with a Water Closet, and Napiery Presses, in the second floor.ne.Sc. 1874 W. Gregor Olden Time 36:
A big kist, in which were stored up the old woman's little stock of naiprie and more costly wearing apparel.Sc. 1887 Stevenson Merry Men ii.:
Yon's a bonny knock . . . and the napery 's by ordnar.Ags. 1895 J. Inglis My Ain Folk 151:
Treasured up in the napery chest.
