Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Schele, S(c)heil(l, v.¹ Also: s(c)hiel(d; schaill; schill, schyll; schell. [ME and e.m.E. shale (Trevisa), schale (c1420), schyll(yn (Prompt. Parv.), shaell (c1518), shyll (c1522), shell (1562), sheal (Shakespeare), sheele (1612), scheele (1681), OE scilian, scylian, ascelian (MED), ultim. f. as S(c)hell n. Also in the later dial.]

1. tr. To separate the seed from husks, pods, etc.; to remove the husks from the grain; to shell.Chiefly in p.p.(a) 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 182.
Tha payand ȝerly … half beir half meil, the meil twise schelit 1478 Acta Aud. 62/1.
Meile twyis schelit gud fyne 1634 Urie Baron Ct. 74.
Ordeanit to sie the ferme cleine sheilit c1634 Aberd. Trades 218.
That ilk freeman hereintill sall have no power to scheill quheat at the flour mill within this burgh, but twa birne quheat at ane scheilling 1709 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 75.
2 furlits pies shield(b) 1534 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 20 March.
The sys delyveris that … na corne be schaillit(c) 1550 Breadalbane Coll. MS No. 73.
Quhite meile weill schillit 1568 Waus Corr. 44.
The myllar of Waus myln to schyll and grynd the haill cornis [etc.] … mvltir fre(d) 1615 Urie Baron Ct. 15.
Quhansoewer ony of the … cornis beis grindand the pickiman schelland the meill to thame

2. absol. or intr. To shell grain. 1586 (1607) Melrose Reg. Rec. I 56.
Gif ony of the mylneis of the lordschip happineis throw drouth in summer or in frost that they may nocht gang nowther to scheill nor grind 1599 Ellon Presb. 26.
To punische … the mylearts that grinds or schields [on Sundays]