Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SURFLE, v., n. Also surfie; sirfie. Sc. usage: I. v. 1. To gather or draw together material in sewing, to ruck a hem (Sc. 1887 Jam.; Slk. 1950, sirfle), to overcast an edge of cloth; to trim with lace bordering (Per., Gall. 1910).
II. n. A hem, or sewn border, an overcasting of cloth (Sc. 1887 Jam.).
[Mid.Eng. surful, to embroider, Norm. Fr. *surfiler, Late Lat. superfilare, to sew a thread (filum) over.]
