Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GIRST, n. A met. Sc. form of Eng. grist, corn for grinding (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Uls.4 1954); “the grain which one is bound to have ground at a mill to which one is thirled” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).Peb. 1709 Burgh Records Peb. (1910) 178:
31 January: The counsell, in respect of a second breach . . . in the cauld, whereby the mylns are altogither without watter, and that the girst may not be imbasiled.Sc. 1935 W. Soutar Poems 52:
Raw upon raw the growthy corn Round the twa altars stüde, And in the licht the gowdan girst Hung doun like draps o' bluid.Hence grister, one who brings grist to the mill, a tenant in the Thirl of a mill.e.Lth. 1716 Trans. E. Lth. Antiq. Soc. VI. 69:
The girsters find bedding to the kilns also.
