skirrett

skirrett (countable and uncountable, plural skirretts)

1. (obsolete outside Freemasonry) A metal spike to which is attached a small drum onto which is wound string or line. In use, the spike is pushed into the ground to anchor it, and then the line is pulled out as far as needed to mark a straight edge.
   • 1881, The Masonic Review - Volume 55, page 364:

     In the lecture on the third degree, according to the English work, the following is adopted: “I now present to you the working tools of a Master Mason, which are the Skirrett, Pencil and Compasses..."

   • 2004, Sangeet Duchane, The Little Book of Freemasonry, →ISBN, page 143:

     The tools of the Master Mason are the Pencil, the Skirrett, and the Compasses. The Pencil is an action tool that symbolizes the use of creative thought. The Skirrett is a tool that constrains the pencil and can symbolize understanding, but also can mean tradition or knowledge that acts as a restraint on action. The Compasses are used to measure in all drafting and for the formation of many geometrical shapes.

   • 2008, Giovanna Summerfield, Credere Aude: Mystifying Enlightenment, page 51:

     The working tools of the different degrees are in threes: the Apprentices' tools are the gavel, the chisel, and the twenty-four-inch gauge; the Fellowcraft's tools are the square, the level, and the plumb-rule; and the Master Mason's are the pencil, the skirrett, and the compasses.

2. Alternative form of skirret
   • 1851, Roegerson & Co, The Embellishments, page 413:

     The famous nurserymen, Louden and Wise, did not consider the potato as worthy of notice in their Complete Gardener, published in 1749 ; and Bradley, who about the same time wrote so extensively on horticultural subjects, speaks of them as inferior to skirretts and radishes.

   • 1887, Walter Besant, The World Went Very Well Then: A Novel, page 30:

     About the orchards here and the beds of asparagus, peas, endive, skirrett, and the rest of the vegetables grown for the London market, lies ever an abiding sense of peace;

   • 1903, Alexander Rattray, Divine hygiene:

     Beer made of barley and herbs, lupin and skirrett for hops, was largely consumed in Egypt ; and thence introduced into Palestine.

   • 1952, Homes and Gardens - Volume 34, page 29:

     To these I intend to add this year angelica, skirrett, balm, clary, basil, catmint, dill, comfrey and purslane, when I think that, in herbs for the kitchen, the collection will be complete.

• strikter