A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Ele, Eill, n. Also: el, elle; eyl, eil, eale. [ME. eele, ele, OE. ǽl.] An eel.(a) 1375 Barb. ii. 577.
Quhile he wrocht gynnys, to tak … Troutis, elys, and als menovnys c1420 Wynt. i. 810.
In to the wattyre of Gangys Thai say that mony elys is 1502 Treas. Acc. II. 341.
To ane man brocht elis fra the lard of Lochlevin c1515 Asl. MS. I. p. xiv.
The buke of the otter & the ele 1665 Lauder Jrnl. 73.
The master striped it [the viper] as a man would do an elle(b) 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I. 189.
Water stankis … of sic depnes that ged, eyls, and fyscis … ma be conseruyt and kepit bath swmyr and wyntir 1535 Stewart 11976.
Thair greit curage … Gart thame grow fresche as ony eill agane a1578 Pitsc. I. 337/9.
The stankis … full of all deliecat fisches, as sallmond, troutis and perches, pykis and eilis 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 8.
The roum of the ryn of the North loch … for taking eilles and placeing an eill ark thairat 1682 5th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 610/2.
To my Lord Lithgows man with eils
