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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.
PERFAIN, v. Sc. form and usage of Eng. profane. To speak in a profane and irreligious manner, to swear. Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (5 Nov.):
Mansie, is doo fa'n a fule, is doo mindin' 'at der a jantleman at da fire? What's doo perfainin' fer?
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"Perfain v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Jan 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/perfain>
