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. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vernis, n. Also: -ys, -eis, -ice, werneis, varney(i)s. [ME and e.m.E. vernich (1341-2), vernisshe (1358), vernyshe (1466), varnysch (1546), vernice (1633), OF vernis.] a. Varnish. Also, quhit vernis, ? clear or colourless varnish. Also attrib. b. fig. A gloss or polish on something non-material.a. (1) 1502 Treas. Acc. II 69.
For iiij unce vernis ij s. viij d. 1507 Treas. Acc. IV 90.
To Pieris, the payntour, for vj pund glew and othir glew, calk, papir … caddes, verneis, rede lede [etc.] 1591 Edinb. Test. XXIII 290b.
Ane barrell of verneis price thairof xiii li.(b) 1508 Treas. Acc. IV 113.
Varneyis(2) 1501 Treas. Acc. II 64.
iij vnce quhit vernys iiij s. 1507 Treas. Acc. III 388.
Half j pund quhit varneys(3) attrib. 1598 Edinb. Test. XXXI 350b.
Thrie pund of werneis oyle at xiiij s. the pundb. 1628 Pastor and Prelate 5.
Take heede that thyne eyes be not daziled with the vernice and splendour that the world has put upon it [sc. prelacie]