Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
YAIRD, n.2 Also yeard; yir(r)d (s.Sc.). Sc. forms of Eng. yard, the lineal measure (Sc. 1738 Records Conv. Royal Burghs (1915) 24, yeard; Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 104; Ags. 1889 Barrie W. in Thrums vii.; Gsw. 1904 H. Foulis Erchie xxiii.; Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo iii.; Rxb. 1917 Kelso Chron. (19 Aug.) 2, yird, 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 15, yirrd). The Sc. yard was fractionally slightly longer than the Imperial yard, the corresponding standard Sc. measure being the Ell, q.v. [je:rd; em.Sc.(b), s.Sc. jɛrd]em.Sc.(a) 1991 Kate Armstrong in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 111:
A chiel
thocht vaunty, screivit in the derk
Thon's no ma name; cry me Hentool,
Tongsyabas, a yaird o reid an blue.
