Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1734, 1814, 1876-1899
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RIFT, v.2, n.2 Sc. usages:
I. n. 1. A cleft or fissure in a rock (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), a chasm (Sh., Bnff., Ags., Per. 1968). Obs. in Eng.Sc. 1814 Scott Lord of Isles iii. xvi.:
Yonder peak . . . That to the evening sun uplifts The griesly gulfs and slaty rifts.Sc. 1876 S. Smiles Naturalist 134:
The rift in the glen is almost overhung by the ruins of the ancient Church of Aberdour.
2. A sheepmark consisting of a slit in the ear. Cf. Rip.Ork.
1734
Private MS.:
A bitt before on the right lugg and a rift on the left lugg.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (18 Dec.):
The right lug shulled and a rift before.
II. v. To mark a sheep with a slit in the ear. Ppl.adj. rifted (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (18 Dec.):
3 merks, viz. the 1st is the right lugg, two rifted.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (18 Nov.):
He had a left lug half awa behint, an' da right lug riftid.
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"Rift v.2, n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rift_v2_n2>
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