Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PIERCE, v. Also pairce (e.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 297), pers(h)-. Sc. usages in comb. and derivs.; 1. piercel, -sal, -call, -cill, persäil, pershall, a small boring tool, an awl, gimlet (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), persail, 1914 Angus Gl., pershal). Also in comb. pirsel-bor, id. (Jak.); 2. piercie, a kind of sea-shell. See quot. and motherie s.v. Mither, n. 1. (8); 3. comb. piercing-shot, in Mining: “a shot in the roof or brushing designed to bring down an increasing thickness of stone” (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 50).1. Ork. 1747 P. Ork. A.S. XII. 53:
A Piercall or borrer and a hand Saw.2. Sc. 1953 People's Friend (21 Nov.):
Groaties are often known as “cowries” and motheries as “cat's keys” or “piercies”.