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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RINGLE , n.² Also ren(n)gle. [rɪŋl]

I. n. 1. A circular stripe of colour round a skirt, stocking, etc. Only in derivs. ringled, ringlit, renglit, ringlie, applied to a skirt which is striped (Sh., Ork. (ringlie), Abd., Fif. 1968).Sh. 1899 Shetland News (14 Oct.):
Dere's my blue an' rid ringl'd socks.Sh. 1956 Shetland News (4 Dec.):
She was wearing a red and white striped skirt, or “rennglit kotts”.

2. A circle of white round the pupil of the eye, a white or pale grey iris, a wall eye, gen. in ppl.adj. ringlit, -ed, and comb. ringle-ee(d), ringlit-eyed, (having) a wall eye (Gall. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Ayr., Gall. 1990s). Gen.Sc.; having a ring of white hair round the eye (Sh. 1968).Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis:
We call such horses as have a great deal of white in their eye, Ringle-ey'd.Sc. 1712 Sc. Courant (13–16 June):
A Gray Horse, a Ringle Eye on the left Side.Sc. 1741 Caled. Mercury (March) 9:
A Setting Bitch that answers to the name of Pinkie . . . her Eyes bad and somewhat ringled.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of Lairds xxxix.:
Geordie Joug wi' his ringle-ee.Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 33:
Drawin' a steek wi' nettled heat, Drobb'd Andro's ringle ee, man.s.Sc. 1866 W. Henderson Folk-Lore 37:
The Candle for “saining” should be procured from a suspected witch or wizard, a seer or Elleree, or from a person with “schloof”, or flat feet; “ringlit-eyed”, that is with great portion of white in the eye, or “langlipit”.Inv. 1872 Trans. Highl. Soc. 61:
Probably the best species [of dog] for this important purpose is the “ringle” or “gray eyes”, which is very popular with highland shepherds.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 8:
She has a ringle ee, that's aye wammle-wammlin' about.Sc. 1926 H. McDiarmid Penny Wheep 22:
A lass cam' to oor gairden-yett An' ringle-e'ed was she.Ags. 1930 A. Kennedy Orra Boughs 53:
Her skin a fine smoke-yellow and her e'en ringled.Abd. 1963 Buchan Observer (22 Jan.) 4:
An' the ootcome o't wis a gem o' the collie breed, Oor bonnie Glen, wi' a kennin ringle e'e. Abd. 1995 Sheena Blackhall Lament for the Raj 24:
Soo-moued, ringle-eed Jock McBride
Is socht bi polismen far an wide
An identikit o his coorse physog
'S bin sent frae Turra tae Auchenshog.