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.
TIRE, n.2 Also tyre. Sc. forms (also in Eng. till the 19th c.) of Eng. tier, a row or course, specif. of stones or turf on a wall. The spelling tyre is common in O.Sc. and suggests the pronunciation [′təiər] which is phonologically more regular than Eng. [′tiər]Abd. 1715 Session Papers, Magistrates Peterhead v. Governors Merchant Maiden Hosp. (May 1838) App. 31:
To put on three tyres of fail upon the said dyke.Per. 1794 J. Robertson Agric. S. Per. 62:
The largest stones are always put in the tire which rests in the double part.
