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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.

Quotation dates: 1808, 1908

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SKERT, n. Also skirt. A sheep-mark made by cutting off the tip of the ear and notching the cut edge thus produced (Ork. 1929 Marw.), or by making a somewhat similar slit or cut in the nostril. [skjɛrt, stjɛrt]Ork. 1808 W. Mackintosh Glimpses Kirkwall (1887) 225:
A ewe with a skirt on the right nose.
Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. v. 165:
A bit before on left lug, and a skirt in right nose.

[Cf. O.N. skarð, a cut, notch, Norw. derivs. skjerding, a sheep-mark of this shape, skjerda, a cut or slit, a slice.]

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