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 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Tirl, v. Also: tirle, tirll, tyrle. P.t. and p.p. also tird, tyrit. [e.m.E. tyrll (1519), tyrle (c1537), metathetic var. of ME trille(n, trylle(n(both Chaucer). Cf. EFris. tirreln, tirlen.] a. tr. To turn, twist, pluck or pull (something), to manipulate (a thing) in a twisting or pulling manner. Also fig. b. intr. Const. on, upon or at the thing pulled or twisted. c. To make a twisting, pulling or plucking movement.a. 1460 Hay Alex. 14294.
Than Alexander the entre couth espye … And how that all was closit with a pyn … Than Alexander turnit the pyn about [etc.] … Than said the king ‘To teiche me the way [etc.] … ' The serpend … till ane postrum in ane roch him led … And vnder that thare was a porte of brass … Abone that porte thare was a porte-culis Quhilk as before was opinnand with ane wise. Quhan the king persauit had the gyn And traistit it and tirlit abone the pyn [etc.](b) 15.. Sym & Bruder 89.
Thay daschit him doun the dirt ourhaild him Than start thay to and tird him tycht … Than brak he lows [etc.]fig. ?1665 M. Bruce Six Dreadful Alarms 16.
God will tirll us out of that prudence ere He hath done with usb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1414.
The lyoun … lay so still the myis wes not effeird Bot to and fro out ouer him tuke thair trace Sum tirlit at the campis off his beird Sum spairit not to claw him on the face Merie and glaid thus dansit thay 1567 G. Ball. 93.
Tyrle on the ten stringit instrument 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 70.
Prometheus his liver daylie growing to suffice to new tormentis, is daylie gnawin and tyrit upon be ane egle 1670–80 Dauney Anc. Sc. Melodies 56.
Sing soft-a, sing soft-a; Of our pins Ye know the gins, Ye tirled on them full oft-ac. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1713.
Ye are like the mere of Markinch, ye have a gude ambles bot ye tirle 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. I 133.
O how they bend their backs and fingers tirle!