A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1550-1590
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Pikkillar, Pyklar, n. Also: pickall-, picl- and -er. [? Altered var. of Pikker n.1 or Pikar n., or ? f. Pik(k)ill v.1 in extended sense. Appar. only Fife: cf. the later Fife dial. pickle v. to pilfer (1826).] A petty thief or pilferer. — 1550–1 Cupar B. Rec. 4 Feb.
Being awisit of comone pyklaris & suspect personis within this burgh, fand thir personis underwrytin onlauchfull nychboris be ressone of comone thyft or pykrye 1575 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 12.
All pyckaris pickallaris and resettoris of uther mennis guidis 1589–90 St. A. B. Ct. 8 March.
Accusat as sturdie idle wagaboundis pykeris and picleris and apprehendit in pyking 1590 Burntisland B. Ct. 30 Oct.
That no inhabitant … ressawe … within thair dwellinge hous … ony theiff or pikkillar
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"Pikkillar n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/pikkillar>
