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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: 1803, 1887-1896

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†SPERTHE, n. A battle-axe. Arch.Sc. 1803 Scott Minstrelsy II. 337:
At his saddle-gerthe was a good steel sperthe.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 254:
Misk cruntit his croon wi' a sperthe.Sc. 1896 A. Lang Monk of Fife 120:
She fights but on horseback, with lance and sperthe.

[Mid.Eng. sparthe, O.N. sparða, a kind of axe.]

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