Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡SCRY, n., v. Also skry, scrie. [skrɑe]
I. n. 1. A shout, cry, yell, clamour (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 137:
Wi' skirl, and skry, and rallion-shout, Stood thick and far the rabble-rout.
2. A public proclamation, an announcement, esp. one made by a crier (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 164; ‡ne.Sc. 1960), freq. made outside a church to congregations when dispersing.Abd. 1754 Rec. Old Abd. (S.C.) I. 194:
He is to have the hand bell and go through the Town, Ring therewith and make such scrys as shall be desired.Abd. 1794 W. Farquhar Poems 177:
Tak' my advice, an' nae refuse, To pit this scry into the news.Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 100:
The blessin' said, they hurry'd out Like school-boys to their play; An' big'd, like castin' bees, about The bellman wi' a scrie.ne.Sc. 1874 W. Gregor Olden Time 72:
After service the worshippers were regaled at the gate of the kirkyard with the scries — that is, with a proclamation of such sales as were to take place in the parish, or in any of the neighbouring parishes.Abd. 1925 A. Murison Rosehearty Rhymes 68:
He'll hae to be bellman an' gyang wi' a scry.
II. v. To proclaim, to make known by crying publicly (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis:
“To skry a Fair,” i.e. to proclaim it.Abd. 1748 Abd. Journal (5–12 April):
They have given Orders for scrying the same at the adjacent Parish kirks on Sunday the 17th inst.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xi.:
If Samie Pikshule had a roup to “scry” or a strayed stirk to “adverteese”.Abd. 1887 Trans. Bnff. Field Club 42:
Employing the bellman to ‘scry' at the kirk door as the people ‘scailt' to take notice that their services were needed at a certain place on such a day to work under some J.P.'s orders on the roads.
