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.
†UNLAID, ppl.adj., n. Sc. usages:
I. adj. Of wool: untarred, untreated with a tar and butter preservative. See Lay, v., 4.Sc. 1807 Farmer's Mag. (Feb.) 95:
Six fleeces properly laid will in general make one stone, while it requires eight unlaid.Dmf. 1812 W. Singer Agric. Dmf. 580:
It [wool] is very white and clean, being unlaid, or not smeared, and well washed.
II. n. A blanket made from untarred wool.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 38:
[It] imparted that stain to her best white unlaids, which never could be taken out.
