A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1473-1508, 1561-1568
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Purfell, -fill, v. Also: purffell, (purfew), pourfeill. [ME and e.m.E. purfilen (c1325), -fyl (c1460), purfulle (1502), -fel (a1548), OF porfiler (1371 in Godef.), later porphyler, pourfiler, to border, adorn the border of, adorn, med. L. perfilare (Du Cange), f. L. pro or per and fīlum thread.] To ornament or adorn with a wrought or decorative border. Also fig.Common in p.p.pres. 1473 Treasurer's Accounts I 31.
iiij tymire of grece to purfell that govne 1474 Ib. 41.p.p. 1507–8 Treasurer's Accounts IV 31.
The said goun purffellit with ermyngis 1561 Inv. Q. Mary 30.
Ane bed of broderie work of foure coullouris of satine … pourfeilliet with fals gold and siluir a1568 Bannatyne MS 79b/34.
A wrech to weir a noble skarlet goun A bag lyne furring purfillit [Ch. & M. parsillit] weill with sablefig. a1568 Henr. Bannatyne MS 215a/19.
Hir gown suld be … Weill ribband with renowne Purfillit with plesour in ilk place Furrit with fyne fassoun a1568 Bannatyne MS 228b/36.
Hir goun suld be of all guidnes … And purfewit [sic in MS] with prosperitie
b. In extended sense: To decorate or beautify. — a1500 Henr. Fab. 1683 (Bann.).
Flouris … Quhilk … Phebus with [his] gowdin beames gent Hes purfillit and paintit plesandlie
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"Purfell v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/purfell_v>
