A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1641
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(Quhifle,) Whifle, n. (Cf. 17th c. Eng. whiffle a trifle (1680), e.m.E. wyffle v. to blow in puffs (1568), mod. Eng. whiffle to make a light whistling sound, to utter (something) with such a sound. Cf. also Flem. weyfelen to vacillate (Kilian).) — 1641 Passionate Remonstrance by His Holiness Upon the Covenant of Scotland Sig. B 3.
This drift walkt a pace uncensured, never questioned but in thought, with a whifle, or whisper
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"Quhifle n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/quhifle>
