A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Spule, Spuill(e, n.1 Also: spwle, spull-, spoill. [ME and e.m.E. spole (c1325), spoyle (1538), spowle (1611), spoole (1620), OF espole (13th c.), MDu. spoele, MLG spôle.] A spool or bobbin used in weaving. Also wobstar(is spule. b. A representation of a spool.1522–3 Dundee B. Ct. I fol. 131 (4 March).
To restor again to Rob Nicholl his twa spulis and iiij s. of siluer that thai pundit hym for a web takyng to weif of Rob Lowsonis 1567 Edinb. Test. I 12b.
Sex pundis of hempt … fourtene spulis a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlviii 44.
Weill wrocht in the lwmis with wobster gwmis: Bayth thik and nymill gais the spwle 1574 Edinb. Test. III 177, 195.
Tua wobster spules prisit to foure s. … twa dosane of spules for wobstaris price of the dosane xx s. 1586 Edinb. Test. XVI 141b.
Fyve wobstar spullis price vj s. viij d. 1606 Inverness Rec. II 45.
With ane psalme buick … giltit about baithe the margiantis … ane wobstarris spoill at 8 d. 1624 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 259.
Thriescore bobbins … sevin spuilles quhairof sum for boyes 1643 Dalyell Darker Superst. 516.
Marioune Fishar in Weardie brak ane spuillb. 1509 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 122.
The armes of the webstaris, viz. thair signe of the spule to be vnmaist in ilk baner 1553 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 270b (20 Nov.).
Ane gild chalice with ane spule vpon it
