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.
†PLIGHT-ANCHOR, n. A sheet-anchor (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 118). Also fig.Sc. 1698 J. Kirkwood Plea before Kirk 50:
The business of Blakader, which was their Plight-Anchor.Sc. 1778 A. Wight Present State Husbandry II. 398:
Shell-marl is his plight-anchor. He gives 160 bolls to an acre; but does not find from it the increase expected.
