Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

SKIFT, n.² A variant form of Skiff, n.², a small yawl (Rs., Bnff., Arg. 1950). See note to Skiff, n.³wm.Sc. 1889 J. C. Alston West Coast Ballads 6:
A seed three skifts start frae the quay and pull oot ti the bay.Ork. 1894 Sc. Antiquary VIII. 55:
Me peerie bairn I'll safely ferry, To I hae nather ship nor skift.Arg. 1914 J. M. Hay Gillespie i. xi:
It was rainin' in sheets when we came doon tae the skift.Bnff.² 1929:
The ween's ower strong the day for the skifts.