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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Thirl(l)it, Thrillit, Thrallit, ppl. adj.² Also: thirlat, thirl(l)ed, thirrelated, thrald. [e.m.E. thraulde (1527), thralled (a1586); Thirl(l v.²]

1. Enslaved, unfree. Also transf. 1533 Bell. Livy I 177/33.
His mynde was that nane of the thirllit pepill suld be deliuerit fra thare detttransf. a1568 Bell. in Bann. MS 1a/20.
Man to redeme fra thrald captiuitie

2. That is astricted (to a mill). = Thirl(l adj. 2. 1602 Old Ross-shire I 57.
[The] said thrald suckeners to pay onlie ane peck shelling as multir 1673 Rec. Univ. Aberd. 176.
Quhilk croft of land payeth yeirlie six bolles thirrelated beir quhilk is the yeirlie rent thereof formerlie payed be tennentis of the same

b. Thirlit multure, = thirl multure Thirl(l n. 2 d (1). 1545 Reg. Privy S. III 211/2.
Myln, myllandis of Torboltoun, with suckin and thirlit multir of all the landis and barony of Torboltoun c1575 Balfour Pract. 495.
Gif ony man clamis thirlit multuris of ane uther he aucht and sould libel ane titill quhairby he sould have the samin 1577 Fam. Innes 133.
Sall resigne … his landis and mylnis within the lordschip of forest of Boyne with thrallit multeris of the haill lordschip thairof 1583 Douglas Bequest 24 May.
For non payment to the said Patrik Suthie of the astrictit and thrillit multeris pertening heretablie to him 1584 Acts III 357/1.
Thirlat a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 217.
He that is astricted to pey thirled multers is not releived be ane offer of his cornes to the milne mad in tyme of extream drouth 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 332.
Thirlled

c. fig. 1567 G. Ball. 59.
Till Christ quhome I am haldin for to lufe I gif my thirlit hart in gouernance