[See def. 1.]
1. attrib. as adj. Belonging or native to Kerry, a county in the S.W. of Ireland. Kerry security, witness (see quots.).
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulg. T., Kerry Security, bond, pledge, oath and keep the money.
1828. T. C. Croker, Fairy Leg. S. Irel., II. 18. A Kerry witness … signifies a witness who will swear to anything.
1885. Lady Brassey, The Trades, 99. Queer little Hindoo cattle, something like Brittany or Kerry cows.
2. absol. as sb. A cow of a breed belonging to Kerry, noted for the quality of the milk.
1880. Daily News, 21 Dec., 5/4. The little Kerries are greatly prized as ‘milkers.’
1888. C. O’Conor-Eccles, in Blackw. Mag., Dec., 812/2. The skin of a little Kerry sufficed to make two pairs.
