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.
Trim(b)ling, ppl. adj. Also: trym(b)ling, trembling. [Late ME and e.m.E. trimballand (a1400-50), tremblynge (1526), trembling (a1628).]
1. Of a living being: That trembles (Trimbil(l v. 1).1688 Tryal Philip Standsfield 29.
He fled in to Culter, as a trembling partridge pursued by a haulk
2. Of a thing: That moves in a tremulous manner; that quivers or vibrates (Trimbil(l v. 2).a1585 Maitl. Q. 202/45.
As the drope of water weris the stone, So dentit wer hir cheikis cruellie By trimbling teiris 1587-99 Hume 16/142.
On my iolie lute … And trimling trible string, I sall … Thy glorie gladlie sing a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xi 21.
To the gods of love … My visage did I turne, With trimbling teirs 1614 T. Melvill in Melvill lxvi.
The tall trymling treis … seames throw watrie woltis of air to cut the chrystell skyes 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 270.
A contrare blast Doth force his saile against the trembling mast
3. The trimbling fever(is (once, aixes (Axes n.)), the ague.(1) 1588 Crim. Trials I ii 164.
The Bischop of Sanct Androus had mony seiknessis, as the trimbling fewer, the palp [etc.] … and baid hir mak ane saw 1623 Elgin Rec. II 182.
The quaquand fewer and the trimbling fewer and the sea fewer [etc.] 1629 Justiciary Cases I 138.
The trymbling feveris 1662 Soc. Ant. XXII 223.
James Kid … being diseased with the trembling feavers 16… Nat. Lib. MS 22. 2. 11 last p.
A receat for the trembling fivers(2) 1653 Nicoll Diary 108.
The trimbling aixes … wes … frequent
