A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Whissall, -ell, n. [Var. of Quhissil(l n.] a. = Quhissil(l n. 1. b. = Quhissil(l n. 3. —a. 1669 Edinb. B. Rec. X 70.
Ane play or game within this citie called the pricking book loterie of plate rings glasses cabinets hoods whissells [etc.] —b. 1600-1610 Melvill 282.
We haid lurking within our awin bowelles a … vennemus Psyllus, … sa empoisoned be the vennome of that auld serpent and sa altered … that the deadlie poisone of the vipere is his familiar fuid … to wit lies … malice [etc.] … wha hes bein lurking a lang tyme hatching a cocatrice eagg and sa fynlie instructed to handle the whissall of that auld inchantar that na Psyllus … could ever haiff done better. This is Patrik Adamsone fals bischope of St. Androis wha … was in making of a buik … quhilk he intytles Psyllus
