Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

STAINCHER, n. Also stencher, sta(u)ncher; stincher (Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of the Lairds MS. xxiii.). An iron bar forming part of a grating for a window (Fif. 1971); also one fixed behind a door to prevent it from opening (Kcb. 1971). Comb. staincher-fittit, of a horse; with feet like a bar, ? stiff-legged.Ayr. 1701 Ayr Presb. Register MS. (29 Oct.):
For stanchers to the underwindows of the manse.Gsw. 1729 Records Trades Ho. (Lumsden 1934) 142:
To employ a smith and cause him putt in four stenchers where they are wanting.Sc. 1769 Weekly Mag. (4 May) 159:
[He] made his escape by a rope tied to the stenchers of the prison window.Sc. 18th c. Sc. Mus. Museum (1796) V. 500:
She was cut-luggit, painch-lippit Steel waimit, Staincher-fittit . . . My Master rade me to the town, He ty'd me to a staincher round.Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. iii.:
A wicket was opened in the doors, ribbed with iron stainchers on the outside.Lnk. 1832 W. Watt Poems (1860) 183:
The staunchers and cells, wi' their thousands o' ills.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 68:
Passing the dark thief-holes, through the airn stainchers of which I could see mony a white and anxious face.