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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.

Warp(e, Werp, n. Also: wairp, vurp, wirp. [ME and e.m.E. warp (1346), warpe (Trevisa), OE wearp, MLG warp(e, ON varp.]

1. The lengthwise yarn of a piece of cloth, the warp. Also in collocation with weft(Weffte n.). Also fig.(a) c1420 Wynt. v 5057.
He … sayd … Bath tow and yharne he suld hyr rewe And swylk a pryne he wald hyr wynd … thare suld lytill leve behynd Off warpe [W. warp] or weffte to mak hyre clath 15.. Lord Fergus' Gaist 35.
To coniure the littill gaist … Thir thingis mon ȝe beir … of ane ȝallow wob the warp The boddome of ane awld herp 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 115.
Thow … tuik ane greyne threid vpone thy fingeris, lyk ane castand warpis, and maid knottis theron 1607 Inverness Rec. II 53.
They ar accusit … in taiking fra the nichtbouris wyiffis mair wowft of ȝairne nor of warp(b) 1512 Wigtown B. Ct. 8b.
For the vrangus haldyn fray him of a canne werp of xiiii ellis c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 91.
To … steill … Wollin, and linning, werp, and woft 1683 New Mills Manuf. 47.
The loomes are to be imployed as followeth—Two all Spanish mixtures … Three upon Inglish werp and Spanish ebb mixtures(c) 1519 Wigtown B. Ct. 80a.
Margret Logan to Pait M^cMarteyne cha. to ralief him fra twa ellis the quhilk scho tuyk thame fra the said Patrik with veft & vurp(d) 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 217.
[Helen Hair … intromitted with] ane wairp with James Eilleis weivar in Melrois laitlie deceist, alsmuch lyning yairne as wald lanefig. 1629 Boyd Last B. 14.
Weaue into your life graces thorow graces, as warpe and woft 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 448 (see Weve v. 3 a).(b) 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 4.
The wirp of the poet is for these Carpere vel noli nostra vel edo tua

2. A quantity of fish. 1569 Crail B. Ct. 8 Nov.
Ane howndreth & thre warp of salt heryng