† surbedv.
Obsolete.
transitive. To set (a block of stone) edgeways (see quots.); also, to set (coal) edgeways on a fire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surface > give a specific kind of surface to [verb (transitive)] > set edgeways
surbed1677
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 76 They take care to surbed the stone, i.e. set it edg-ways, contrary to the posture it had in the bed.
c1680 Enquiries 2/1 Quarries..in what order do the beds lie? whether surbedded in work, or laid as they grew in the bed?
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. iii. 126 If they would have it [sc. coal] burn quick and flame clear..they surbed it, i.e. set it edgways, the cleaving way next the fire.
1712 J. Morton Nat. Hist. Northants. 116 Let the Stones that are for Oven-Hearths..be set Edge-ways, or Sur-bedded, as the Masons speak, that is, the Position they had in the Earth inverted.
a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) f. 377 To surbed coal, to set it edgwaies on the fire that the heat and flame may cleave it and make it burn with greater vehemence.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 9 It is a freestone, cutting in all directions; yet has something of a grain parallel with the horizon, and therefore should not be surbedded.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 9 (note) Surbedding does not succeed in our dry walls.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
<
v.1677