v. Chiefly Sc. Obs. Also 6 girg. [Echoic: cf. JAR sb.1 and v., CHARK, CHIRK.]
1. intr. Of a door or gate: To make a creaking noise, to grate, jar, vibrate.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, I. vii. 57. The brasin durris iargis on the marble hirst. Ibid., VI. ix. 88. At last with horrible soundis trist Thai wareit portis, iargand on the hirst, Warpit wp braid. Ibid., VII. xi. 33. Wythin that girgand hirst also suld he Pronunce the new weyr.
1597. Drayton, Mortimeriados, N ij. The iargging Casements which the fierce wind dryues, Puts him in mind of fetters, chaynes, and gyues.
2. fig. ‘To waver, to flinch’ (Jam.).
a. 1614. J. Melvill, Mem. (Wodrow Soc.), 69. He … nevir jarged a jot ather from the substance of the cause, or forme of proceiding thairin. Ibid., 142. Mr. Andro [Melvill] never jarging, nor daschit a whit, withe magnanimus courage … planlie tauld the King and Counsall, that [etc.].
Hence Jarg (also jerg, jirg, girg) sb. Sc., a creaking noise.
1820. Hogg, Wint. Even. T., II. 42 (Jam.). Thilk dor gyit ay … thilk tother jerg.
1825–80. Jamieson, Jarg, Jerg, a harsh grating sound, as that of a rusty hinge.
1893. Crockett, Stickit Minister, 148. The sofa gied an awfu’ girg.
