A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ravelled, Rawellit, ppl. adj. Also: reavild; revelit, -d. [e.m.E. raueld (1599), ravelled.] Tangled or confused; esp. with hesp a skein of yarn.c1590 J. Stewart 234 §138.
Than rawellit Vousting and ruid Raschnes ran, Daft Indiscretion [etc.] a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 73.
Ane evil reavild hesp is ill to red 1637 Fleming in A. Whyte Rutherford (1894) xxiii 201.
My inward life is a ravelled hesp 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 386 (see Ravel v.1).
Ill-ravelled Ib. 1640 Bk. Pasquils 105.
They left ther children and ther wyffes, To reed thare reuelit ȝairne 1680 Brodie Diary 443.
Affairs of his brother was reveld and disordourly
