A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1656
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Kirn, v. Also: kyrn. [Cf. ME. (Prompt. Parv.) and e.m.E. chyrne, also e.m.E. cherne.] a. tr. To churn, work at (a churn.) Also absol. b. To mix (one liquid with another) in a churn or as in a churn, to churn up. —a. 15.. Wyf of Auchtirmuchty 35.
Scho kyrnd the kyrne & skwmd it clene And left the gudman bot the bledoch bair 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 10.
Thai ar bussie kirnand in William Duncanis … and hes gottin no buttir 1633 Orkney Bishopric Court Book 85 b.
Shoe went bak with the said Andro to his hous and kirnedb. 1656 Nicoll Diary 189.
Much wynes sauld in Edinburgh wer corruptit and mixt, drawn over and kirned with milk, brinstone, and uther ingrediantis
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"Kirn v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/kirn_v>
