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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Centreis, Centries, n. pl. Also: centryes, -y(e)is, -eyis, cintreis. [e.m.E. centries (1651), ME. cynter (c 1440), F. cintre, med. L. cintrum, of uncertain origin. See also Sentreis.] The timbers used to support an arch in the process of building. 1513 Rentale Dunkeld. fol. 157.
Anthonio M^cDowale … laboranti cum suo seruo circa lie bulwark, centreis & brandeir 1516 Ib. fol. 215.
Anthonie M^cDowall carpentario … ad opus pontis circa lie centreis pro viginti dies 1541 Treas. Acc. VII. 493.
To twa sawaris wirkand upoun the centreis to the register hous 1559 Haddington Acc. MS.
For hayme bryngin of centreis 1578–9 Ib.
For bigging vp of the windois of the auld scule, … and strykin of the cintreis & scaffeting c1590 Fowler 140/9.
Strong centryeis [v.r. centreyis] & wyde storehous of al grace 1616 M. Works Acc. XI. 8.
To the wark men that tuik doun the centreis 1630 Elgin Rec. II. 215.
All the town was at the puting of the centries of the bridge a1651 Calderwood VII. 513.
The taking away of the centries, and putting in the key-stone [of the bridge]