Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1814-1828
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EFFEIR, n. Appearance, bearing, guise, array, esp. in phr. in effeir of war. Arch. or hist. Cf. Feir.Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley (1817) lxx.:
He and his son-in-law having been so lately in arms against government, it might give matter of reasonable fear and offence to the ruling powers, if they were to collect together the kith, kin and allies of their houses, arrayed in effeir of war, as was the ancient custom of Scotland on these occasions.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth iii.:
Sure it is time enough for decent burgesses to arm, at the tolling of the common bell, which calls us out bodin in effeir of war.
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"Effeir n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/effeir_n>
