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.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1513
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(Riddill,) Riddil, n.1 Also: ryd(d)-, red-, and -yll, -all, -le. [ME and e.m.E. ridil (Fairfax MS of Cursor M.), rydel (Prompt. Parv.); redel (a1300), also redels (Wyclif), OE rǽdels masc. and rǽdelse fem. = counsel, etc., also a riddle.] A question or statement inviting solution, but propounded in terms intended to perplex; an enigma; a riddle. b. Something which perplexes or mystifies; a puzzling problem. c1420 Wynt. iii 164.
Gyff thai walde wndo A rydyll that he wald schaw thame to c1420 Ib. 177.
Thai … studyand on this rydyll [C. riddil] were c1420 Ib. vii 543.
Ryddill [C. riddil, W. rydill](b) c1420 Wynt. iii 179 (W).
Redyll c1420 Ib. 182.
Redall c1420 Ib. 188.
Redillb. 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 157.
Thys romans ar bot rydlys [Ruddim. ridlis]
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"Riddill n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/riddill_n_1>
