Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCREEN, v., n. Sc. usages. For Sc. forms see Skreinge.

I. v. 1. As in Eng., to subject to close scrutiny, to examine carefully. Hence screener, in the linen trade: one who examines cloth for flaws or faults in weaving, dyeing etc., corresp. to Eng. looker (Fif. 1927 Dict. Occup. Terms (H.M.S.O.) 174; Per., Fif. 1969).

2. To protect from, to ward off.Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 20:
He wi' his plaid wou'd screen the show'r.

II. n. A shawl, head-scarf. Appar. a usage based on Ramsay quot.Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) I. 62:
My mistress in her tartan screen.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet xi.:
A tartan screen, and once a-year a new cockernony from Paris.Edb. 1825 R. Chambers Trad. Edb. (1847) 64:
The two ladies went, with the tartan screens or plaids of their servants drawn over their faces by way of disguise.Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xix.:
A lass in a tartan screen desired to speak with me?