A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1494-1568
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(Nimmill,) Nymmill, Nymmyll, a. [Late ME. nymyl (Prompt. Parv.), e.m.E. nymel (1470–85), OE. numol, -el, quick (to seize, etc.): cf. also Nembill.] a. Nimble, agile. b. Also, quasi-adv., (to go or move) nimbly or quickly. —a. 1494 Loutfut MS. 18 a.
The cat … is legeer & rycht nymmill 1494 Ib.
The hair is a best licht & nymmyll of fut a1568 Bannatyne MS 83 b/34.
Bot doweill in deid is nymmill and quyckb. c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS. 140 a/27.
For halfpennyis thy hand ȝeid nymmill [: thymmill]a1568 Sempill Bannatyne MS 126 b/44.
Bayth thik and nymmill gais the spwle
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"Nimmill adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/nimmill>
