A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Kek(k)il(l, v. Also: kek(k)yl(l, -ell, kekle. [Chiefly Sc. (in the mod. dial., Sc. and north. Eng.); e.m.E. (once) keckle (1635): corresp. to ME. kakelen (Ancrene R.), cakelen, cakle, etc.; prob. ultimately of echoic origin.The Eng. and Sc. words are perh. of common origin with, perh. adoptions of, MDu. (and Du.) and MLG. kakelen, and MDu. and Flem. kekelen; cf. also Fris. keakelje, Sw. kackla, Da. kagle.]
1. intr. To cackle. Said of the clucking of hens, also of the noises made by other birds, esp. jackdaws.1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 118.
And kays keklis on the ruyf aboyn c1500 Makculloch MS. xiii. 98.
Gracello as, kekyll 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 94.
Scho wald … Bark lyk ane dog, and kekell lyke ane ka 1549 Compl. 39/8.
Quhilk gart the hennys kekkyl quhen the cokis creu 1580-92 James VI Lusus Reg. 25.
As hennis of nature kekkillis quhen thay lay
2. transf. To laugh noisily, as in derision.a1500 Peblis to Play 219.
And scho to ga as hir taill brynt And all the cairlis to kekill At hir 1513 Doug. v. iv. 40.
The Troianys lauchys fast seand hym fall, And, hym behaldand swym, thai keklyt all
