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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.

Kippil(l, n. Also: -ell(e, kyp(p)ill, kipell, kip(p)le. [Sc. var. of Cuppil n. Cf. Kepill and Coupil.]

1. A pair of inclined rafters or chevrons, which meet at an angle at the ridge and form the principal support of the roof; also, one of such a pair, a principal rafter. 1554–5 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 42.
To ane masoun for fitting of the rufe to the kippillis, iiij dayis 1563 Reg. Privy C. I. 246.
The said kirk is at sik ane point that throw … nocht uphalding of … the wallis, ruif, kippillis, and thak thairof [etc.] 1578 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 81.
The … counsall appoyntis maister Jhonne Gordoun, wrycht, for ruiffing of the Hie Scole … and … he sal have … for euery ilk kippill thairof aucht schillingis 1594–5 Ayr Common Good MS.
Twa gistis and twa sparris to be ane kippill abone the miln … Thrie treis to be the watterark & the feit of the kippillis 1595 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. MS. 587.
Garronis to the kippellis angelleris and rinruiffis of the scoole 1664 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 31.
That the kiples [of the west end of the hie kirk] be tryed quhair defective and renewed

b. As a measure of roof-space (see Cuppill n. 1 b); also, the timber required for building this extent of roof. 1663 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 103.
[Thomas Hutoune is to furnish] twa kippells of great timber with pands and rooffe and sall mak up the on kippelle in all necessare for ane house 1674 Ib. II. 185.
[The said Alexander is to furnish] tuo kiple of timber [great and small and bear half the expense of building and] thyking 1685 Ib. 350.
[The said Robert to build] tua kiple of an sufficient barn reedie to the theeking [which the said John is to thatch himself, and] an kipple of an byre and theak the samen 1686 Ib. 362.
[Sufficient timber to build] on kipell of ane malthouse

c. Attrib. with werk, feyt. 1563 Reg. Privy C. I. 247.
To uphald … the wallis of the said parroche kirk … and kippill werk abone the volt 1590 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 398.
To … wrycht … setting in off the new kyppill feyt

2. A pair or brace (of fowl, pigeons, rabbits). 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 231.
The best kypill of chykkynnis fra Pasche furth xij d. … ane kypill of dowis vj d., ane kypill of cvnnyngis of creche … iii s. 1556–7 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 209.
Ane kippill of cunyngis