Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ȝerd fast, Yerdfest, Yeird-, Yirdfast, adj. [Var. of Erdfast adj.] Fixed in the ground, chiefly of stones marking boundaries, prob. usu. natural outcrops. b. Appar. as part of a charm. — 1535 Aberd. B. Rec. MS XV 638 (Jam. s.v. Malare).
It is nocht the vs … within this burgh to ane malar to byg & reperall ony thing that is yerdfest or nalit fest with the hous 1552 Prot. Bk. R. Lumsdane 20.
Passand westly sum part to the southt be karnis of stanis to ane ȝerd fast stane maid for ane merche 1585 Echt-Forbes Chart. 123.
Passand … to ane gret yirdfast stane … upone the owersyd of the gait 1600 Reg. Great S. 387/1.
Assending up and west the said laitche quhill it cum foranent ane gret yird-fast gray stane —b. 1662 Crim. Trials III 609.
The Lord fleigged the feind with his holy candles and yeird fast [pr. yeird foot] stone