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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TIRL, v.³, n.³ Also tirle, tirrl.

I. v. 1. intr. To quiver, vibrate, thrill (Sc. 1825 Jam.), to tingle. Comb. tirlin-bane, the elbow, the funny bone (Ork. 1972).Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 120:
For tyrants will ne'er care a snuff for your word, Till ance they hear't tirl frae the point o' your sword.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 123:
Da aesiest wey tae find 'er is da wey wir Willie deud — e' fell trou da tap o' 'er an' narlins breuk 'is tirrlin bane.

2. tr. To cause to vibrate or tremble; to sound (a musical instrument) by plucking the strings, drawing a bow, etc., to twang; also intr. with on, and fig.Dmf. 1874 R. W. Reid Moorland Rhymes 44:
That queer wild cry frae the gurly sky can tirl my heart strings still.Cld. 1880 Jam.:
He tirled the strings.Lnk. 1922 T. S. Cairncross Scot at Hame 60:
The wee tod tirlin' on his penny trump.Uls. 1953 Traynor:
Four of as sweet fiddlers as tirrled a bow in the two baronies.

II. n. A vibration, the act of vibrating (Sc. 1880 Jam.); a tremor, quaver.Knr. 1894 H. Haliburton Furth in Field 183:
A good woman with a pathetic ‘tirl' in her tone.