Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1884
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¶SCULF, v., n.
I. v. To strip off the top layer of turf from the ground.Sh. 1884 Crofter's Comm. Report App. A, L, 225:
He is not allowed to take fowls or sculf from the hill. The tennants . . . are not allowed to sculf the ground when there is nothing but a turf on top of the channel.
II. n. The top layer of turf (see quot. above.)
[Appar. a conflation of scalp and phs. Scuff, v., 4. but the authenticity of the word is somewhat doubtful.]
