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.
STAIRCH, n., v. Also †stearch, sterch (Sc. 1700 Edb. Gazette (23 May); Abd. 1889 Bon-Accord (7 Sept.) 20; Uls. 1898 A. M'Ilroy Meetin'-Hoose Green 65; m.Lth. 1911 Glasgow Herald (6 May); Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 75). Sc. forms of Eng. starch. See P.L.D. § 48.1.(2) Also in Mid.Eng. Hence sterch(er), a starched shirt or shirt-front; stearch maker (Sc. 1707 Fountainhall Decisions (1759) II. 351), sterchy, starchy (Rxb. 1933 Kelso Chron. (3 Nov.) 5), lit. and fig. [stertʃ]Lnk. 1930 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 301:
Wi' weel-biled stercher, kenspeckle, gude, My face composed, my nose a kennin' red.s.Sc. 1933 Border Mag. (March) 36:
Hoo polished and croose he looks wi' his sterch on.
