Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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DERF, adj. Also derff, durf. Now only literary.

1. Of persons: (1) Bold, daring, hardy; “severe, cruel” (Abd. 1825 Jam.²).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 85:
For they're a derf an' root hewn cabbrack pack, An' stark like stanes, an' soon wad prove our wrack.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS.:
Ye wad hae seen some derff billies in yer time on the saut seas.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 142:
While derf auld Brookie's bone-fire lowes, Wi' rampin' gleed.Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems 154:
His look their very hearts did stun; 'Twas derff, you may suppose.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 48:
A derf man he wis, my mither's faither,
thrawart as winter trees that bend
but winna brak.

Hence (a) derfly, boldly, fiercely, roughly; (b) derfness, boldness.(a) Sc. 1846 Anon. Muckomachy 47:
And frae ilk plouk, Thus derfly strook, Ae drap o' blood cam oozin' out.Abd. 1788 J. Skinner Christmass Bawing xxi. in Caled. Mag. 502:
Whare Pate's right spawl by hap was bare, He derfly dang the bark Frae's shin that day.(b) Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Sc. Sangs 44:
There's fouth o' derfness i' their herts, They're stappit fu' o' farrach.

(2) “Unbending in manner, possessing a sullen taciturnity” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.), stolid.Ags. 1881 J. S. Neish By-ways of Life 153:
His lank and ungainly figure, heavy “cloiting” gait, and the “durf” or stolid expression of his cadaverous countenance were not calculated to strike a stranger.Ags. 1912 A. Reid Forfar Worthies 63:
Chap Hoo . . . was a derf-looking, saturnine individual.

2. Of things: hard, rough.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 28:
I counted as a man, At least for size, an' art o' han', To wield the derf fore-hammer.Ags. 1816 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (1826) 20:
They praised My alabaster skin, Alas! now wrinkelt, derf, and din.