Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1822-1874, 1962
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‡PARAPHERNAL, n. Also parapharna(u)l. Sc. n. usage of paraphernal, pertaining to a married woman's paraphernalia or personal property.
1. Gen. in pl., the personal effects of a married woman, her clothing, jewellery, etc., which remained her own property after marriage, her paraphernalia. Obs. in law since the passing of the Married Women's Property (Scotland) Act 1870 and the abolition of the Jus Mariti, q.v.Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail xxvi.:
My father will gie me a hundred pound to buy you parapharnauls and new plenishing.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce II. vi.:
The juice mariti cannot 'tach a gudewife like the auld Leddy's providing o' sheets, napery, and parapharnals.s.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 5:
Get ready thy marriage gear, love. . . . Go and assign thee thy appurtenances and paraphernals.Sc. a.1874 G. Outram Legal Lyrics 69:
I went to seek my wife, but she had fled, And had not left a single paraphernal.
2. By extension: gew-gaws, nick-nacks, fripperies, odds and ends, trifling possessions.wm.Sc.2 1962:
She gathered up her handbag, umbrella, and all her paraphernauls, and got off the bus.
