Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PETRIE BALL, n.comb. “A kind of ball used by shoemakers” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 124). Sic, but prob. a variant form of Peter bowie (see Peter, n., 2. and Patie, n., 3.).ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 20:
Yet thou has given us . . . oot-seam awls, and in-seam awls, pincers and petrie-balls.Fif. 1902 D. S. Meldrum Conquest of Charlotte i. i.:
Is there not a man among you all? Not one, not one — you parcel o' petrie balls!