A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hesill, Heas-, Hissill, n. Also: hesylle, hessil(l, heas-, hissell, heissill. [Northern ME. hesyl, hesill (c 1400), earlier ME. hesel, OE. hæsel. See also Hasill n.] Hazel. Also attrib. with rod, rung, rys, stick, sting, wand, wood.(a) 14.. Acts I. 334/2.
Na mar space than the thicknes of a somertane vand of hessil c1420 Wynt. i. 343.
Ane ake wes na mare in hys hand Than now in owrys ane hesylle wand 1539–40 Treas. Acc. VII. 355.
3 dosane hessill rungis to be rangis to the halkbuttis 1586 Edinb. Dean Guild Acc. 254.
Ane douzane of gret hesill rounges to the said ledder ?1549 Monro W. Isles 6.
Ane ile callit … in English Hesill Isle Ib. 10.
Ane little ile … with sum hesill wood in it(b) 15.. Christis Kirk 136.
Heich Huchoun with ane hissill rys To red can throw theme rummill 1659 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 218.
He did stryke hir upon the head with ane hissell rod(c) 1597 Breadalbane Ct. Bk. (Reg. H.) 170 b.
Pursewit for cutting of aik, birk, alroun, and heasill 1607 Crim. Trials II. 522.
Thrie hundreth grit growand heissillis 1650 Maxwell Mem. I. 356.
Muttering words, and chawing heassell stickes 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I. 94.
Donald … sett upon him with ane heasill sting
