ferd

plural ferds · alternative fard · alternative faird · alternative faerd

1. ScotlandA journey; a voyage.
2. ScotlandProvisions for a journey, especially food.
3. ScotlandA fast pace; a rush or hurry.
4. Northern EnglandScotlandalsoobsoleteEffort, impetus, speed; a violent onset.

   It was our great desire to have at once been at handy-strokes, well understanding that the ferd of our hot spirits could not long abide in edge.

   1775, Baillie, Letters

   1 more example

   A dainty husband, an' the best o' men, Fresh in his eild as the gree simmer glen. An' still he maks a ferd his bread to earn— His aim to hae a canty but-an'-ben, Wi' something aye to spare to ilka bairn, That they the gude auld hospitality might learn.

   1832, John Nevay, “The Cotter's Birth-Day”, in Margaret De Courcy, Beatrice De Courcy, editors, The Ladies' Cabinet of Fashion, Music, and Romance, page 381

plural ferds

1. ScotlandobsoleteuncountableusuallyFear.

comparative ferder · superlative ferdest

1. ScotlandobsoleteAfraid.

   Out of Deuelin toun, The folk wel fast ran, In a water to droun, So ferd were thai than;

   Out of Dublin town, the townsfolk ran very fast into a river to drown, so afraid were they then;

   c. 13th century, Sir Walter Scott, Sir Tristrem, published 1804

1. Scotlandnot comparableobsoleteFourth.

   Gevin vunder our signet, at Edinburgh, the xxiij day of Marche, and of our regnne the ferd yer.

   Given under our signet, at Edinburgh, the 23rd day of March, and of our reign the fourth year.

   1571, J Chepman, Decreet of Spulzie

   2 more examples

   George the ferd Erle of Hunlie and second of that name his sone, three. And Jane Gordoun his dochtir, the ferd.

   1565, Proces of Divorce twixt Erle Bothwell and his Wife

   The first & secund regents sall haif quarterlie ilkane threttein schilling four penneis. The thrid fyfteen sehillings and the ferd and principall twenty shillings.

   The first and second councilmen shall receive every quarter thirteen shilling four pennies. The third one, fifteen shillings, and the fourth and main one, twenty shillings

   1614, Register of Town Council of Edinburgh, vol x