Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

JOINER, n. Also jiner, jyner, jeyner; chiner (Cai. 1955 Edb. John o' Groat Lit. Soc.). [′dʒəinər; I.Sc., Cai. ′tʃ-. See Join.]

1. A woodworker in gen., not restricted as in Eng. to one who does lighter or more ornamental work than a carpenter, which word is not native to Sc. usage. Joiner itself has supplanted the earlier Wricht, q.v., from the early 19th c.Sc. 1722 J. Monro Religious Letters v.:
A Mechanick, a Wright or Joiner as to his Employ.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. App. 290:
Joiners, called also Wrights or House-Carpenters.Sc. 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 41:
Joiner is commonly used in Edinburgh where “carpenter” would be used in London; but over shops we sometimes see the notice “house carpenter”.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends 3:
Gettin' the joiner to mak' the buird.Lnk. 1923 G. Rae 'Mang Lowland Hills 19:
I begged a jiner body to sort a barrey wheel.wm.Sc. 1986 Robert McLellan in Joy Hendry Chapman 43-4 32:
Let Janet tak the measurements for the laddie's coffin to the jeyner the nicht.

Hence (1) joiner-word, the pass-word of a carpenters' society; (2) joinery, a joiner's workshop (Abd., Ags., Fif. 1959).(1) ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 62:
But these are secrets o' the trade, An' need the joiner-word.(2) Fif. 1901 Gsw. Herald (7 Jan.) 4:
Steam joinery, sawmill, cabinet, and box-making and turning works.Dmf. 1917 J. L. Waugh Cute McCheyne 66:
There was a terr'le collieshangie in the joinery office.

2. In pl.: the plant horsetail, Equisetum (Kcb. 1959). Cf. Joint, 2.