Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHEET, n.¹, v. Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A sheet of canvas folded into a pouch to hold corn-seed and hung round the neck of the sower, a sowing-sheet (Cai. 1970).Dmf. 1764 Session Papers, Memorial J. Carlyle (20 June) 9:
When he was sowing corn in the Mill-close James Carlyle came to him, and took hold of the sheet he was sowing out of.Fif. 1806 A. Douglas Poems 20:
The farmers a' are white like snaw, Wi' sheet tied round them sawin'.Sc. 1855 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm I. 538:
The sower is habited in a peculiar manner — he puts on a sowing-sheet. . . . The right arm, which throws the seed, finds easy access to the corn from the open side of the mouth of the sheet, between the left hand and the breast of the sower.

2. A canvas sheet about 8 feet long made into a pocket for holding wool; the amount contained in such a pack, viz. 240 lb. (Cai. 1970). Also in Yks. dial.Sc. 1855 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm II. 210:
The sheet is thus filled with alternate layers of fleeces to the top.Edb. 1864 St Andrews Gazette (19 March):
For a sheet of bred hogg wool of this season's clip, 54s. was realised.

3. As in Eng., a sheet of paper. The sing. is used as a collective pl. (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 58, three sheet of paper).

II. v. 1. To cover with a sheet, specif. to block up the entrance to a salmon-cruive with a tarred sheet to prevent the ascent of the fish. Vbl.n. sheeting.Ags. 1704 Morison Decisions 14289:
Not one syllable against sheeting of cruives. There should be a mark or jedge for determining high water and low water; and when the river sunk below the jedge, then they might sheet.

2. To wrap in a shroud or winding-sheet (Fif.¹⁴ 1945). Cf. Eng. sheet, shroud.