Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1762
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RIFFLE, n. As in Eng. Sc. intensive sand used to sharpen a scythe blade, a whetstone. Also in Eng. dial., from which it may have been borrowed in quot.Sc. 1762 Scots Mag. (Aug.) 404:
The riffle, which sharpens the cutter, is 18 inches long including the handle.
