Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1776-1874
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FAIRCE, adj. Also fers(s), arch. Sc. forms of Eng. fierce. Sometimes used adv. Hence fairceness, n.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs I. 53:
Proud Wallingtoun was wounded sair, Albeit he was a Fennick ferss.Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 208:
An unaccountable fairceness, — for can a man . . . be fairce on a brither, when handlin his wizen as executioner.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 115:
As if frae death to save their lives They swallow'd fast and fers.Dmf. 1874 “R. Wanlock” Moorland Rhymes 21:
Ne'er was a rose withoot a brier — The bonnier floo'r the faircer thorn.
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"Fairce adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/fairce>
