Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1908-1953
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RUDGE, v.1, n.1 Also ruddge; rodj (Jak.). [rʌdʒ]
I. v. 1. To gather loose stones off a piece of ground and pile them into heaps (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 155, 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1968).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To rodj the stens aff o' de land.Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 36. 16:
Whin I wis sma I ruddged da rigs.
2. To clear pasture land of cattle dung (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 155, 1908 Jak. (1928)); to gather the potato crop off a piece of land (Jak.; Sh. 1968).
II. n. A heap of stones gathered off land in clearing it (Sh. 1904 E.D.D., 1914 Angus Gl.); a great number of small stones in the soil or of sim. objects like potatoes, a place thickly covered with small stones (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); a collection of miscellaneous small objects (Sh. 1968).
[Norw. dial. rydja, O.N. (h)ryðja, to clear land.]
