Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FOREHEID, n. Also -heed, -head. Sc. forms and usage of Eng. forehead. [Sc. ′for-hi:d, Sh. + -hæd]

Sc. form:m.Sc. 1994 Martin Bowman and Bill Findlay Forever Yours, Marie-Lou 40:
Ah'll pit some cauld watter oan a flannel 'n pit it oan his foreheid...

I. Sc. usage: the front compartment of an open boat (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.¹¹ 1953); the prow (Rs. 1953).Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 243:
I lays me doon i' da fore head i' da bight o' da sail.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 127:
The boat was divided into six compartments, viz., fore-head, fore-room, mid-room. . . .Ork. 1904 Dennison Sketches 4:
He ran tae the foreheed, as light under de feet as a cat; an' he steud on de forethaft.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 91:
Robbie guid i' da forehead, an' clappit twa reefs i' da sail.