Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pinsell, n.² Also: pyn-; (Pinset). [e.m.E. pinselle (Cath. Angl.), OF. pincel (13th c. in Littré; mod. F. pinceau), med. L. (Eng.) pincellus (c 1125), -cillus (c 1400), a paint-brush: cf. Pencil(l n., Pinicill n.] a. An artist's paint-brush. b. The penis. —a. a1605 Montg. Son. xliv. 12.
Let Mercure language to me len … To pingill Apelles pynsell with my pen 1611-57 Mure True Crucifixe 79.
My hand, my pinsell, let thy spirit guide 1629 Kirkcaldy Presb. 54.
The pinsell of Apelles was easilie knowne from the pinsell of a cowmon painterb. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 174/2.
The pinsell [1599 pensel] of Priapus