Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AIRCH, ARCH, v. ¹ (See quots.) [ertʃ + ɛ]Bnff.² 1931:
Johnnie airch't an' airch't, bit his gun never gid aff yet.Abd., Rxb. 1825 Jam.²:
Airch, to take aim, to throw or let fly any missile weapon with a design to hit a particular object. . . . It is not at all confined to shooting with a bow.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Airch. — To take careful aim, to prepare to let fly a missile, arrow, etc., so as to hit an object.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) I. 73:
Shoot again . . . an' O see to airch a wee better this time.

Comb. airchin-stock, a butt, target, used fig. in quot. Cai. 1872 M. McLennan Peasant Life 144:
His resolution to be no longer the "defenceless airchin'-stock o' wicked limmers."