Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WURF, n. Also warf; orf, urf. [(w)ʌrf]
1. A puny, ill-grown person, esp. a child (Lth. (orf), Peb. (urf), Lnk. (warf), s.Sc. (wurf) 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); a stunted peevish or malevolent creature (Watson). Hence (w)urf-like.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck vi.:
What ir ye, I say, ye bit useless weasel-blawn like urf that ye're?Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick II. x.:
Let go my arm this meenit ye wyle, wurf-like wuddifu' o sin.
2. A fairy (Lnk. 1825 Jam.), elf, hobgoblin.
[Jam. suggests a reduced form of Warwoof, id., which is possible. See note to Wirl, n.]
