A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bonspell, n. Also: bonespell; bonspule, -speill, -spale. [Of obscure origin; app. from some Du. or Flem. compound of spel play.] A match or contest. [See also Boilspell.]1560 Peebles B. Rec. 262.
James Wilsone and Stene Robesone maid ane bargane and bonspule on this maner 1570 Leslie 238.
Thair was gret bonespellis, matches and wedfeis betuix the Scottismen and the Inglismen in sindrie gammes a1578 Pitsc. I. 340/17.
The king heirand this of his mother was contentit of hir bonspell [v.r. bonspeill] 1595 Duncan Appendix.
Certamen, a strife or bonspale
