Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WEED, n.2 Also weid (w.Lth. 1724 W. Hamilton Poems (1850) 9). Sc. form and usage of Eng. ‡weed, clothing: a winding-sheet, shroud.Lnk. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake 16:
The Laird, it's true, had twice been deid, An' twice had wauken'd oot the weed.
Comb. ¶weed-ring, appar. a ring worn by a widow along with her weeds, a mourning-ring.Sc. 1835 Gsw. Journal (19 Dec.) 104:
Wi' wringing his duddies, Her weed-ring it's burst in twain!
