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.
Kele, Kell, n.1 Also: kel, keil(e, keille, keyll. [ME. kelle (1352), kele (1387): cf. ON. kjǫlr keel.] The keel of a ship or boat. b. In the phr. with evin (= level) keill.1494 Treas. Acc. I. 247.
For a bote … that brocht the keyll of the barge vj s. 1506 Ib. II. 208.
To Jacat Terrell at the setting of the keill of the schip 1513 Doug. iv. vii. 74.
Now fletis the mekil holk with tallonyt keyll Ib. x. vi. 30.
Thar stammys tuke the bankis dry, And thar kelys stak in the slyke fast by 1513 Treas. Acc. IV. 474.
For ij skwpis to cast watter fra hir keill for the mending of hir [sc. the ship Margret] 1570–71 Inverness Rec. I. 198.
Ane keill of ane boit of xxij fute lang wyth ane blok 1596 Dalr. I. 62/31.
Oft he saw thir lytle foulis … vpon the keilis of alde schipis 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 452.
Haveing … caused sight the shippe … it wes found that she had a great laike in her keill 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 221.
Ane keill, balks, … and all uther timber work … for the said boatb. a 1568 Sempill Sat. P. xlvi. 9.
With evin keill befoir the wind Scho is richt fairdy with a saill
