Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FARD, v. Also faird. To paint (the face); fig. to gloss over. Obs. in Eng. since late 17th cent. Vbl.n. fairding. Hence adj. fairdie in comb. fairdie-grass, a plant unidentified. Fumitory and burnet saxifrage were both used as cosmetics for sun-burn.Fif. a.1706 A Fife Laird in J. Watson Choice Collection I. 30:
Fairdings, facings and powderings.Bnff. 1792 A. Geddes in Trans. Soc. Antiq. Scot. 447:
Wi' fardit cheeks an' pouder't hair.Edb. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xxi.:
Nor will my conscience permit me to fard or daub over the causes of divine wrath.Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 71:
Some of the vulgar ascribe such virtue to this grass, as to believe that sunburning may be removed from the skin, if it be washed with churned milk in which this has been dipped. Kirn milk and fairdie grass Maks fair maidens fair.