A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1473-1535, 1590-1694
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Thirl(l)ing, Thrilling, Thral(l)ing, vbl. n. [Thirl(l v.2 Also in the later dial.]
1. Enslaving. Also fig. 1535 Stewart 33625.
Rycht hevelie he buir into his hart The grit ouirthraw and thirling of his ring, With sic subjectioun … of the Britisfig. c1590 Fowler I 180/4.
Quhat triumphs dost thow mereit of avayle In thralling me who is so far forlorne? 1647 Lennoxlove MS (The Duke of Hamilton) C1/9768.
I ever hated thraling of consciences, yett I should be sorie ther were no other price of spirituall freedome, then the king's losse of all temporall power
2. Astriction (of lands, persons) (to a mill). 1473 Acts Lords Auditors 26/2.
The actioune … anent the thrilling of the landis of Pilmure to the milne of Lawdor 1622 Stirling B. Rec. I 157.
Provyding that the acquyring of the saidis mylnes be the toun infer nocht ony thirlling of the toun thairto unto the tyme the toun acquyre ma mylnes 1636 Glasgow Chart. I ii 381.
Thirling
3. Mortgaging (of lands). Cf. Thirlage n. 3. 1506 Indenture Fraser Coll. MS (Reg. H.).
And releyf the said Schir David skathles … at alle persones anent the saidis landis throw alienaciounis or thrilling maid off befor
4. ? 1694 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 2.
For thirling to Mellarsteans [£3 14 s.]
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"Thirling vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/thirlling>
