A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1513, 1570-1641
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Farne, n. Also: fairn, fairin. [ME. ferne, OE. fearn. The form with a is peculiar to Sc.; fern occurs in early place-names as Fernflatis (1327), Fernwall (1364).] A fern; fern as a material. a1500 Henr. Fab. 198 (A).
It wes a semple wane Off fog and farne [v.r. fairn] full misterlyk war maid 1507 Rentale Dunkeld. fol. 58 b.
Pro farnis & dewait pro dicta domo 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 53.
Laggerit leyis wallowit farnys schew 1570 Leslie 214.
Thay kendillit certane fairins, stray & uther thingis 1595 Duncan App.
Filix, a farne 1609 Craig iii. 12/16.
The tempest beat and falling farne … Receaves new life 1611 Reg. Panmure I. p. xcviii.
May be befor it was labourit thear hes growine farnes thear 1641 Acts V. 630/1.
To cast and win fewall, faill, fairnes [etc.]
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"Farne n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/farne>
