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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.

SKATHIE, n. Also skaithie. A fence of stakes or bunches of straw tied together with ropes and set up on end in front of a door as a wind break, a turf-, stone- or plank-wall erected outside an outer door for the same purpose (Bnff., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1970); a roughly-built shed of boards or backs (Bnf. 1927); any rough fence or shelter (Abd. 1913). [′skɑðe]Bnff. 1955 Banffshire Jnl. (15 Feb.):
Whan hameless fowk tak' shelter In some bit skathie o' a beild.

[Dim. form ad. Gael, sgàth, wattle fence or door, Ir. scáth, a shadow, shelter, curtain, covering. The Rxb. attribution by Jam. is somewhat doubtful.]

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