Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1836-1862
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HAIREN, adj. Also hairn, herin. Made of hair (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Ork.5 c.1900; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; ‡Ags.19 1956). Obs. in Eng. exc. dial. since 17th c.Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 590:
Meggie hed british'd Annie's spleet niu herin teddir se sma.Abd. 1844 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 1) V. 178–9:
I've gotten an ill job this mornin' in the deth o' a fine stirk by elf-shot; an' the pity is, that he wasna' fasent to a hairn tether, fan the wapin would a fa'en short o'm.Bnff. 1862 R. Sim Leg. Strathisla 85:
Little will't mak to me whether the rape be a silk tow or a hairen tether, I trow the breath-stappin' will be as sair wi' the tane's the tither.
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"Hairen adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hairen>
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