A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1513-1610
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Nesethrill, -thirl, n. Also: nes-, nesse-, neis-, neys-, neyis- and -thryll, -thirle, -thyrl, -thirole and naisthrill. [ME. neos-þurle (13th c.), -turle, nesethirle (Rolle), nees-, nease-thrill (c 1440), thereafter appar. only Sc. Cf. also Nosethirl(l.] A nostril.(a) a1400 Legends of the Saints vii. 421.
The waspis that in his hewid ware At his nese-thrillis flaw al owt c1420 Wynt. vii. 2009.
Owt off the nesthryllys [v.rr. nessethrillis, neis thrillis] twa The red blud brystyd owt 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 27.
The arteiris, hart, neisthrillis(b) 1513 Doug. vii. iv. 201.
Thar neys thirlys [v.rr. neis thyrlis] 1513 Ib. viii. 11.
Thar [the hounds] nes thirlys with a sover sent Scho fillis so 1513 Ib. xii. iii. 5 (Sm).
Thar hedis and neyis thyrlis 1551 Hamilton Catechism 190.
The minister … unctis the barnis neysthirles 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 489.
They vomited not nor fumed at the mouth and neis thiroles(c) 1600-1610 Melvill 221.
And helde to his naisthrilles
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