A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Trattill, Tratel, v. Also: trattyll, tratl-, traitl-. [e.m.E. trattle (a1555). Cf. Prat(t)le v., Rattil(l v. 2 a, Tatle v.] intr. To talk incessantly and inconsequentially, to prattle, chatter; to repeat or record something meaningless, or in a meaningless fashion.c1420 Wynt. vii 3452.
Yhe rawe and tratelys [C. tratlys] 1460 Hay Alex. 10336.
Quha spekis oure oft and ay is traitland new He may never leik of lere and vntrew c1460 Thewis Wysmen 375.
Thai wyll men scorn … Tutland and tratland in the toune, Ay makand murmeracioune a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 313.
Sen thow on me thus, lymmar, leis and trattillis 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 695.
Bury we sall ȝour bonis, Syne trentalls twenty trattyll all at onis 1562-3 Winȝet I 50/24.
Thai … haldis it only law quhateuir thai raill, rattill, or trattill a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 627 (Wr.).
They tratled and pratled, A long halfe hour and mare a1585 Polwart Flyt. 144 (H).
I lauch to see the blooster … With … mangleit metter Tratland [T. Trottand] and traland top over taill
