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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quhil(l, adv., conj. and prep. Also: quhille; qwhil(l, qwhille; qhwil; qhill; whil(l, whille, vhill; quhyl(l, quhylle, quhyill; quhul(l; qwhyl(l, qwhylle; qhwyl; whyl; qwil(l; quyll, qvyll, qwyl(l; will; vyl(l, wyll; Quhel(l Qholl). [Cf. early ME and ME hwil (c 1230), whill (c 1320), wil (14th c.), quyl (c 1420), whyll, wyll (c 1450), north. ME quil (Cursor M.), whil (c 1450).The usual form in Sc. Cf. Quhile adv., conj. and prep.Abbreviated as qll, qwl, in MS (freq.) as q¹. Hence some forms shown below may be due to editorial expansion.]

A. adv.Only in early verse.There is some ambiguity between the three senses.

1. Sometimes; from time to time. = Quhile adv. 1.Also, once, = Other-quhill.Used correlatively in quhill … quhill, at some times … at other times, and vmquhyle … quhill (quhill … a nothyr quhile), at one time … at another time.(1) c1420 Ratis R. 1684.
[Old age] quhill has appetyt and wyll As fallis wantone childyr tyll c1420 Wynt. iv 356 (C).
Qwar Iupiter withe rayn hym wet God Phebus qwhil [R. quhyle, W. quhill] withe son hym het c1420 Wynt.iv 796.
Efftyr hope hape hapnys quhille [C. qwhylle, W. quhile; rh. perelle](2) 1375 Barb. x 604 (C).
Quhill to, quhill fra; Thai clam in-to the crykis swa Ib. xii 374 (E).
For in punȝe is oft hapnyne Quhile [C. quhill] for to wyn & quhill to tyne c1420 Ratis R. 927. c1420 Wynt. vi 1149.
Quhille he qwhill he Off syndry persownys held that se c1460 Thewis Wysmen 209.
Quhill were, quhill bettir c1500 Makc. MS v 6.
Fortonis quheill is ay turnand, Quhil to weil and quhil to wa — c1420 Wynt. viii 4471.
At Tarbart he wes qwhille [C. aqwhile, W. quhilis] … And qwhylle [C. qwhil, W. quhill] wes in to the mayne land Traveland(3) a1400 Leg. S. ii 822.
And he [sc. Nero] as wyff wald wedit be Wmquhill to man and quhyll walde he Tak hym a man in sted of wyff Ib. xviii 1009.
I vmquhyle wald be Hard frosyne … Vthyr tyme the sone brynt me … & quhyl for het & syne for cauld One the ȝerd done fal I wald — 1375 Barb. xiii 637 (E).
Fortoun … That will apon a man quhill smyle And prik on him syne a nothyr quhill

2. Formerly, at an earlier time. = Quhile adv. 2. Cf. Quhilum adv. 2. a1400 Leg. S. iv 8.
And the thryd [name] that he bar Wes callyt quhill James the mare Ib. xii 8.
In Ierusalem … A man callit Ruben quhil can dvel Ib. xxxvi 812.
A man quhil callit Sanctulus A dekine in exile tuk Fra Lumbardis c1420 Wynt. ii 760.
And Scotland gert call that ile For honowre off hys modyr quhille [E. for his moder name vmquhile] That Scota was … calde Ib. vi 2106.
That peryle That thare fadyre sufferyd qwhille Ib. vii 1539.
‘Thow wes quhylle kyng: now quhat dois thowe?’ ‘Than wes I threll: kyng am I nowe’ a1500 Seven S. 1187.
Off Apillis quhill king Oulumpus

3. For a time, for the time being: cf. Quhile adv. 3. 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 384.
And thai promyctis til abyd hereapone quhill

B. conj., usu. introducing a temporal clause.Also, freq., quhill that (at), in most senses.

1. Indicating that the action of the temporal clause is subsequent to that of the governing clause.When expressing supposition or contingency, usu. with subjunctive or modal verb.

a. To the time that; up to (the point) when; until, till.For further examples, see ay quhill and ay and quhill, Ay adv. 2.(1) 1375 Barb. xvii 927.
Micht he haf lifit quhill he had beyne Of perfit elde [etc.] 1396 Sc. Ant. XIV 218.
The forsaid landis … sal remayn with … Scher Jone … qwhil he be fully payit 1399–1400 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 43.
Whill 1400 Ib. No. 48.
I … oblys … al owr gud … qhwyl … the principale thyng fullyly be made hale 1412 Laing Chart. 25.
Qwil c1420 Wynt. vii 270.
Wyth hyr hys lyff … to lede, Departyd quhyll [C. qwhyl] thai suld be wyth dede 1429–30 James I Acts in Ayr B. Ct. 6 March.
And sa ay tyl … mynyster in the saide office quyll hys power be lachfully revokyt 1456 Peebles B. Rec. I 118.
Plegis Mechal Forest for al … lottyng … qwil the said Wyl get a land of his an 1457 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 136.
Qhwil a1500 Henr. Practysis 1.
Guk, guk, gud day, schir, gaip quhill ȝe get it c1515 Asl. MS I 264/11.
Thair was chosin vj keparis of Scotland quhill the mater war decidit 1508 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I 205.
To continew in peciabill iosin and breuking the samyne quhill the termes … be fullelie compleit 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 94.
Sum gowkis quhill the glas pyg grow full of gold ȝit 1527 Wigtown B. Ct. 195b.
Afens mayd … one a firloit of attis … quhyll the said Jhone vare pait of a kempyll of haye 1549 Aberd. B. Rec. I 275.
To remane quhill tha gat licence of the counsale to pas furth in braid 1563 Crail Kirk S. MS 24 Oct.
Wyll thay be marit 1586–7 Cal. Sc. P. IX 401.
Quhill I sall ressave moir ample directione I sall procede 1599 Edinb. B. Rec. V 260.
Dischargeing all persones to vent … wyne quhill the pryce be intimied a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxii 5.
Vhill 1616 Paterson Ayr & Wigton III 215.
Qll scho may … big ane hous 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 3 Sept.
The said bailȝie did incarcerat the said John … whill he fulfill the will of the said letters(2) 1375 Barb. i 407.
He duellyt thar quhill on a tid The king Eduuard … Come to Strevillyne c1420 Wynt. v 89.
Thare wayage Thai tuk … Qwhill thai come till Jerusalem 1428 Liber Melros 520.
The quhilkis assis made … delays dyuers dayes … quhill at the last the abbot [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 141.
Of sic taillis thay began, Quhill the supper was graid a1500 Seven S. 2365.
Thus blyth war thai quhill at the last The knycht furth … past c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) xlvii 1.
I thocht lang quhill sum lord come hame Fra quhom faine kyndnes I wald clame 1513 Doug. viii viii 58.
Thir folkis … This land inhabyt … Quhil fynaly … Meȝentyus begouth thar tobe kyng 1533 Bell. Livy I 52/20. a1578 Pitsc. I 281/17.
Bot his freindis … watchit starklie that night quhill on the morne they come 1586 St. A. Kirk S. 571.
[To] depart to the kirk dur and stand quhill the haill pepill haif ishet furth 1633 Cullen B. Ct. 22 Feb.
Scho … byding thair quhill it wes leitt and candle being lichtit [etc.] 1696 Peebles B. Rec. II 155.
Having been sent to watch … quhill the officers came to ryp, he espyed the said William … (3) 1375 Barb. xviii 518 (C).
Thei … kepit hym weill ay quhill thai war Cummyn hame c 1379 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 1.
Sa that he hald thayme in fre blancheferme … ay qvyll I … pay … twenty mark of sterlyngys c1420 Ratis R. 705. 1446 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 405.
Alexander to gif … Malcolm Mekil Wardris … euer and ay quhil … Alexander … pay [etc.] 1489 Treas. Acc. I 118.
For the costis maide in Edinburgh vpon xxxvj of his folkis … ay quhill thai wer justyfiit 1490 Dunferm. B. Rec. I 23. 1520 Thanes of Cawdor 136.
Sir John salbe in ther contra part … aye vyl he gaet ane mendis c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus Prol. 173.
Sum to pull doun and waist ay quhill he di[e] a1586 Lindsay MS 9b.
Ilkane tournayer sall … strik with the saidis suerdis and bastonis ay quhill it pleis the saidis diseuris and than gar cry laissez 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 43/8. 1662 Crim. Trials III 607.
And I sall goe in the Divellis nam Ay quhill I com hom again — 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 60.
That I was evidentlie troubled … ever quhill I resolued with my self to take this journay in hand a1699 Skene Agric. MS (ed.) 69.
He [a horse] will be shewing the grasse that is abowt him ever whill he die(4) 1386 (1414) Bk. Carlaverock II 418.
Til the forsaide Sir Herbert … quhil at I … assithe [etc.] 1405 Stirlings of Keir 206.
To tak … ilke yher ten markis qwyll that John Cambell … pay to me … a hundreth markis ?14.. Ship Laws c. 21 (B).
The maystyr is haldyn to borw thaim siluyr … qwhyl at [A. till] thai wate at thai sal turne hame 1431 Reg. Great S. 43/2. c1475 Wall. iv 106. 1489 Acts II 221/2.
That all thai fre tennentis salbe haldin to compere … in parliament … ay & quhill that our souerane lord haf a sone … to ansuer for thaim in the said parliament c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) iii 132 (M). 1535 Stewart 57785.
And held him so quhill that he gaif the gaist 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 89/21. 1641 Acts in Strathblane Par. 2.
The Sherifdom of Dumbartane hes beine … of ane lairg extent … qll of lait that sevine kirkis thereof … ar withdrawine therefra(5) 1375 Barb. xix 404 (E).
The mast part off thaim armyt lay Quhill on the morn that it wes day Ib. 716. ?1438 Alex. ii 338.
The hoste thame restit all the nicht Quhil on the morne that day was licht c1420 Wynt. iv 358 (W). 1535 Stewart 21770.
Stark watchis maid that nicht Quhill on the morne that it wes fair da licht

b. With negative, expressed or implied, in the main or governing clause.(1) 1375 Barb. xii 206 (E).
Na na payn sall refusyt be Quhill [C. till] we haiff maid our countre fre a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1221.
He fane nocht quhill he with hym met 1398 Acts I 210/2.
Syn na man aw to be condampnyt qwhil he be callit & accusit 1402 Dundee Chart. No. 22.
That na shipp … aucht to breke bulk … qwhil thai come to the bryg of Perth c1420 Wynt. v 3804.
I thynk nevyr … to mak entre Quhill the Fadyr assolyhe me Ib. vii 111.
And the kyng … Let na man wyt off thare discord, Quhill the knycht hym-selff this cas Tald c1450-2 Howlat 808 (A).
He … wald let for no man To speik quhill he spokin had 1456 Hay I 11/9.
For quhill the sone of God come in this erde, we wist nocht that [etc.] 1460 Peebles B. Rec. I 137.
And forbad the balyeis [etc.] … that thai … brek that respit quhil the tym cwm at the respit be rwn 1463 Newburgh B. Ct. 14b.
Statuet that na schep cum with in the wydrouf quhyl the corne be of the grund a1500 Seven S. 1463.
And neuer quhill I de Sall I ȝow greif c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) lii 28.
Bot ȝit luche nevir Mahoun Quhill preistis come in with bair schevin nekkis Ib. lxxx 23. 1513 Doug. i iv 60.
And styntis not … Quhil he to grond had brocht sevin hartis 1533 Bell. Livy I 88/28.
Scho inhibit that this child war trublit quhill he war awalkynnyt of his awne will 1533 Boece 519.
Gualo resauit neuer the bischoppis [etc.] … in favouris quhil thai had nowmerit to him sowmez of money 1544 Maxwell Mem. I 285. 1566 Reg. Privy C. I 495.
Inhibitand the Lordis of Counsall … that thai pas na sic giftis … quhill the said Argentier be satisfiit a1578 Pitsc. II 120/20. 1600 Crim. Trials II 283.
I hew na vill that … my brother … knaw ony thing of the matter qhill all be done a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 676.
Henrie Chieke was a gude felow he never slew man quhill he came to him 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 220.
That no shippes enter the harbour … whill first the magistrats be acquaint 1667 Lamont Diary 202.
Whille 1669 Corshill Baron Ct. 89.
The said Johne … could not pay quhill once he were distrest(2) c1420 Wynt. ii 1299.
Scho walde na wys pas hym fra Quhyll that he gave hys assent 1461 Liber Plusc. 386.
Thai sall neuir ceis quhill at thai bryng him doun c1475 Wall. vi 433.
And bad him tell na ma … quhill that he come agayne a1500 Lanc. 2239.
Nor neuer more aȝhane sal I return … Whill that the knycht or verray evydens I have c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) liii 49.
To me wald nevir cum thrift Quhill that twa monis wer sene up in the lift 1535 Stewart 37976.
He … wes nocht leithand nor lidder, Quhill that he brocht the lordis all togidder 1560 Rolland Seven S. 251.
The caus na way we knaw Quhill that ȝour grace will witchaif for to schaw Ȝour graces will a1578 Pitsc. I 7/11.

c. Indicating the ultimate, expected or intended result or outcome of a, freq. extended, action or process.Esp. in later instances, sometimes virtually = so that. Cf. 3 below.(1) 1375 Barb. ii 176.
The Bruce … send about him quhill he haid Off his freyndis a gret menȝhe c 1390 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 19.
That (we) wyll gerre rayse tyll vs all the fermes … of Coldynghame qwyll we be assethit ?1438 Alex. i 1580.
Emynedus in the scheild him straik Quhill all in schunders he couth it schaik c1420 Wynt. vii 1296.
Thai … pynyd hym thare, but mete, drynkles, Qwhill dede … he wes 1438 Montgomery Mem. 29.
And sa furth … quhyll the forsayd matrimone be fullyly complet a1500 Colk. Sow i 118.
So soir the silly pig quhrynit Quhill all the swyn thairabout Ruschit furth c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 179 (Ch. & M.).
And schot quhill wastit was thair artilye 15.. Christis Kirk 134 (B).
For fra his thowme thay dang a sklys Quhill he cryd barla fummyll 1611 Inverness Rec. II 87.
To be tain to the gallows … and to be hangit thair on quhill [pr. thair onquhill] he die 1616 Misc. Maitl. C. II 191.
Elspeth … to be wirryet at ane staik quhill she be deid 1692 Caldwell P. I 93.(2) 1375 Barb. xx 245 (E).
And the kingis infirmyte Woux mar & mar quhill at the last The dulfull dede approchit fast c1420 Wynt. v 3164 (C).
Qwhil [R. qwhyll, W. till] at the last the hail barne … knyt thaim in sauchtenynge c1475 Wall. xi 588.
Quhill at the last apon a slepying he fell 1513 Doug. viii viii 74.
Thus wys he … can thame sla Quhil at the last of this ennoy … Hys citesanys irkyt 1535 Stewart 24127. a1578 Pitsc. I 35/4. — 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1933.
Quhill finallie out of that deidlie swoun I swyith ouircome Id. Æn. vii viii 121.
The flude boldnys so fast, Quhill finaly the wallis vprysis mar(3) 1431 Reg. Great S. 43/2.
To pay … at thir termys … quhil at the sayd somme be fullely payit a1500 Seven S. 580.
That with thair fals talis clawis thi bak Quhill that thai may thé slepand tak a1500 Bk. Chess 673.
& laid it … Wnder thair paupis quhill at it tuke heit 1513 Doug. xi xvi 60. 1535 Stewart 28376.
Greit men … Contendit hes … Quhill that the waikest ȝeid sone to the wawis 15.. Wyf Awcht. 60.
An ill willy cow … brodit his buttock quhill that it bled 15.. Christis Kirk 52 (B).
He was preist Quhill that [M. quhill] he oistit at bath the endis 1567 G. Ball. 80.(4) c1450-2 Howlat 502 (A).
Thus frayis he the fals folk … Aye quhill he cowerit a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 336.
Yow worthis on neid For to assege yone castel … Durandly for to duel Euer quhill ye speid a1568 Scott xxxiv 46.
Ȝe grane ay quhill thay grant(5) 1375 Barb. xii 134 (E).
And pressyt [thame] sa wondre fast … quhill at the last Thai fled c1400 Troy-bk. ii 566 (C).
And so long went thai one thare way … whill that home come thay c1460 Regim. Princ. 13 (Fairf.).
Vtherris [harp-strings] treu putt in thair steddis als tyt & change ay sua quhil he find treu acord 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 52.
Treasoun, inuy did vertue sa deuoir Quhil all wes done as murthour did comand a1599 Rollock Wks. I 393.
Gif thou continue sa quhill thy lyfe be in thy lip

d. In weakened sense: Before. c1420 Wynt. vi 2122.
He had a ferly That he hym fandyde … Qwhill he kend hys condytyowne 1551 Hamilton Cat. 222.
And quhow can a juge discerne ane cause quhil he ken it? 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 55.
Sa had the cause bene quat, wer not for shame, Quhil we sic frendschip furth of Ingland fand a1578 Pitsc. II 155/17.
He marwellit of him that was so hastalie to marche fordwart … quhill he had gottin the quens ansuer a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxxiii 4.
Nor had [I] offendit, vhill I felt hir feed

e. Appar., used as a co-ordinating rather than a subordinating conjunction: And then; but then. 1375 Barb. xvii 22 (E).
Quhill that it fell apon a day That [etc.] c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1760.
Quhill on the morne … Sum of his men … come to the land 1567 G. Ball. 177.
Quhill at the last, he salbe downe cast 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 354.
Quha hes continewallie remanit at the horne be the space of aucht yeiris bipast; quhill this yeir he allegeit him to be relaxt be virtew of deliverance of the saidis lordis a1578 Pitsc. II 103/28.
Quhill it hapnit wpoun ane day [etc.] 1583 Sempill Warning iv.
Quhill hid invy [etc.] … Maid vs ane fasill pray to foraine strangiearis 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 16/16.
Whill at the last … I resolued [etc.] a1605 Montg. Flyt. 177 (T).
On ruittis … thow nurischit neir a ȝeir Quhill that thow past both puir and peild Into Argyle

2. With reference to space rather than to time: Up to the place that (to, at or from which); so far that.Cf. C 2 a below. 1375 Barb. xiii 248 (E).
Thai come with all that assemble Rycht quhill thai mycht the bataill se c1420 Wynt. i 554.
Fra north on sowth the streme it strekys In tyll the Rede Se quhille it rekys 1540 Acts II 379/2.
And fra thyne passand est … to the lone of Glaswell quhill it cum fornent the north heid of Stormischeid 1547–8 Corr. M. Lorraine 220.
And workmen ar begwin to cast the grownd wall off ane dyk … ane greit way quhyll thay cwm to the touin wall one the vatter syd 1642 Rothesay B. Rec. 940.
Fauldcallister Laiknebuy and quhill it come to the hous of Bardarroche, xxiiij [? ruid]

3. In other extended or transferred senses with extra-temporal connotations.Cf. Quhilis conj. 3, Quhill-as conj. 2 b and c.

a. Indicating result or consequence. Cf. 1 c above.Chiefly sa (sic) … quhill. 1375 Barb. xii 544 (C).
The gud erll … assemblit so hardely Quhill [E. That] men mycht her … A gret frusche of the speres that brast c1420 Wynt. iii 46 (C).
And put it [sc. a sword] in his wayme sa fast Qwhil [W. till] hilt and plumat bath in past a1500 Henr. Fab. 2181.
And hit him with sic will vpon the heid, Quhill neir he swonit c1475 Wall. i 416.
Ane othir … he hitt so hardely Quhill hand and suerd bathe on the feld can ly Ib. ii 409.
Our thourch his rybbis a seker straik drewe he Quhill leuir and lounggis men mycht all redy se Ib. v 764. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) lxxix 17.
Sum is for gift sa lang requyrd Quhill that the crevar be so tyrd [etc.] 1513 Doug. iii v 52.
Naturale heyt left hir membris in sik stait Quhil … fel scho down 15.. Christis Kirk 179 (B).
So rudly rang the commoun bell Quhill all the stepill rokkit c1615 Chron. Kings 79.

b. Indicating purpose. c. With concessionary force. —b. c1475 Wall. xi 1108.
For thir causis thai kepyt him sa lang Quhill the commouns mycht on to London gang 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 160.
John Galie desyrit him to stay quhill he wald pay his drink —c. 1594 Charteris Pref. Wall. in Misc. Bann. C. III 169.
Nouther can the schameful leis of Caxtoun, Fabiane and sum vther Inglis writers obscure his glorie quhill they call him ane tratour, ane man of vnknawin birth [etc.] 1596–7 R. Bruce in Calderwood V 560.
And that whill we suffer for the good caus of God we are by manie condemned as malefactors

4. Indicating that the action of the temporal clause is (more, or less) contemporaneous with that of the governing clause: During the time that, while.(1) 1375 Barb. xv 319 (E).
Quhill [C. qwhen] the king … Dawntyt the Ilis … Douglas In-till the forest duelland was c1400 Troy-bk. ii 407 (C).
And quhill Troyiens in the cite … besye war … It plesed hem … To mak solempne sacrifice c1420 Wynt. i 80.
Slepand quhylle [E. quhile, W. till] he [sc. Adam] tuk a nape, Out of hys syde wes tane a ryb 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I 129.
Becawis scho had cofit fra hir son in his leg poste qwyl he was lewand a1500 Henr. Orph. 520.
This Tantalus … Quhill he lyvit he was a gay hostlare a1500 Prestis of Peblis 441.
The Kirk was frie quhil he was in his lyfe 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I 152.
Quhyill Galdus wes gevin to sik besynes tythingis come that [etc.] a1568 Bann. MS 77a/29.
Gud is bot lent ane quhyle quhill thow art heir 1600-1610 Melvill 81.
Bot whill all ar gasing and langing for the play, in stappes Schipper Lindsay 1663 Lamont Diary 164. — c1420 Wynt. vi 1666.
Fra that milnare discendand Dame Mawld the Empryce quhille lywand Wes bot in the ferd [de]gre(2) 1375 Barb. xx 12 (C).
And quhill at [E. quhill that] thir assegis lay at the castellis … assaltis maid thai thar c1420 Wynt. ii 1291.
Quhyll [C. qwhil, W. till] that scho wes travalyde thus Scho come off case to Dedalus c1475 Wall. xi 258.
Sen I mon doggis qwell … quhill that I with yow duell a1500 Seven S. 1037.
The keyis lay Wnder his hed quhill that he slepit 1513 Doug. i v 71. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 112/19.

b. With special reference to the extent of the time: During the whole, or until the end, of the time that; as long as.(1) 1375 Barb. i 270.
Thryldome … quhill a thryll his lyff may leid … merrys him 1400 Maxwell Mem. I 139.
Tyl gyf to the forsayd Schyr Jon … ȝer be ȝer … ten mark … qhwyl the forsayd land restis with hym c1420 Wynt. viii 6646 (E²⁾.
Ȝoung men … Wald proffir thair seruice for till gife To thair lordis quhill [R. tyll, W. till] thai mycht leif c 1420 Liber Calchou 451.
Qwil a man is in the feuer agw he suld et na flesch 1457 Peebles B. Rec. I 120.
The sayd Sym … sal noch jos na anwel qwl Wil Bulli termmis lesstis c1475 Wall. vi 472.
Sum sperd at him, how [he] sald off the best. ‘For xl pens,’ he said, ‘quhill thai may lest’ Ib. x 521.
Quhill I may lest, this realme sall nocht forfar 1481 Peebles B. Rec. I 189.
The saidis … to be kepparis to the archidenis place … qwhyll the werray possesour of the archideynry be peissabyll in his possession a1500 Seven S. 2486.
And bad hir quhill scho held hir lyf The knycht to luf 1521 Glasg. Dioc. Reg. I 80.
The said Jhone brukand qwill he leiffis ?1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 226.
Wyll a1568 Bann. MS 22a/12.
Quhill he is [pr. hs] weill he standis no aw 1570 Sat. P. xiii 3.
Pans quhil we pleis, we sal not find thame out 1584 Perth Hammermen fly-leaf iii.
Quhill we ar heir leifand with lyfe a1585 Polwart Flyt. 527 (H).
Desist, delay his death, whill I descryue him(2) 1375 Barb. iii 282.
That hym thocht he had doyne rycht nocht Ay quhill to do him levyt ocht ?1438 Alex. ii 5187.
I wald weill, ay quhill I leif Ilk ȝeir of my gudis geif a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 186. a1508 Kynd Kittok 23 (Ch. & M.).
Scho … wes Our Ladyis hen wif … Ay quhill scho wes in hevin 1513 Doug. iv vii 1. 1535 Stewart 30508.
The fayth of Christ ay quhill he ma induir, For to defend — 1456 Hay I 279/1.
And alssua that … ever furth quhill the warld lestis, men suld knaw [etc.] c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 2020.
The king gret giftis … gifis With loue and freindscheip euir quhill he levis(3) 1375 Barb. vi 618.
I will … Byde quhill that I am in aynd Ib. ix 105* (C).
Thai vald nocht ficht quhill [E. till] that he ves Liand in-till sic seiknes c1420 Wynt. v 2238.
And ay martyrys off thame he made Quhill that he lyff in lestyng hade a1500 Colk. Sow iii 19. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 979.
Quhill that I may indure, I vow to be ȝour seruiture a1568 Balnaves Bann. MS 138a/2.
Keip strenth quhill that ȝe haif it a1578 Pitsc. I 11/7.

c. With special reference to the limits of the time: Within, or before the end of, the time that. ?1438 Alex. i 1393.
[The Greeks] to ane strenth has tane the way To saue thair lyues quhil thay mocht c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 3477.
I had lever consent that I Sould tyne all richtis … Na leif my feris quhill I on fute may stand a1500 Rauf C. 290.
I will returne to the court quhill the wedder is cleir a1500 Henr. Fab. 1797.
Go ȝit quhill it is tender ȝoung and small And pull it vp c1475 Wall. x 716.
Set on thaim sar quhill [1570 quhill that] we ar in this mycht c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) v 66.
Quhill thou art abill … Repent thé, man 1521 Selkirk B. Ct. MS 88b.
To be payit upon Mertymes daye nixt to cum quhill the daye lestis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1096 (Ch.). 1567 G. Ball. 31. a1568 Bann. MS 82a/16.
Tak tyme quhill [l. 96 quhen] tyme is for tyme will away a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1539.
Thraw the wand quhill it is grein

d. Without necessarily implying duration: At the (same) time that; when.Cf. Quhilis conj. 2 b. 1558-66 Knox I 46.
Whill often tymes he puttis his auditouris in mynd of thir … headis and maikis no mentioun of purgatorye [etc.] … the dum doctouris … begane to suspect him c1590 Fowler I 86/8.
Quhen that the sweit and sommer frost was sparpled by the air, And quhill Aurora did begin agane to earth repair … Evin at that tyme a ladie fair did to my sight appeir 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I 87.
Eftir ellewin houris at ewin quhill as thi hisband and servandis … takis rest than thow puttis on nichtlie ane gryt fyir a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 591.
Give a bairne quhen it wad and a quhelp quhill his taill wag 1670 Lamont Diary 218.
Bot whille he was abowt to throw hir ovir the leather she smote the execwtioner on the cheike

5. transf., with conditional force: As long as, so long as, provided that, if only.Also quhill that (at).Cf. Quhilis conj. 3 b and Quhill-as conj. 2 a.(1) 1375 Barb. i 60.
Thar mycht succed na female, Quhill foundyn mycht be ony male c1420 Ratis R. 8.
And thinke at thai are neuir dede Quhill gud memore is in thare stede 1438 Montgomery Mem. 29.
And sa furth geff it falȝes off ane or off ma quhyll aythyr off thaim has dochteris or sonnys a1500 Henr. Fab. 365 (Asl.).
Heir may ȝe fynd quhill ȝe tak hed … ane gud moralite c1500 Barounis Lawis fol. 15b.
Na fremane aw to be presonit … quhill he may find sufficiand borrowis a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 15. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) xxxiv 48 (M).
Ay rynnes the fox Quhille he fut hais 1531 Bell. Boece I 79.
To fecht to the deith … quhill ane of thaim war left on lif 1549 Lamb Resonyng 3/12.
Ȝe Scottis will neuir cry ‘Cok’ quhill ane of ȝow is on lyf 1560 Conf. Faith in 14.. Acts II 530/1.
To disobey … ony that God hes placit in authoritie quhill they pas not ouer the boundis of thair office(2) 1375 Barb. iii 342.
The castell … war hard to get Quhill that thar in-war men and mete ?1438 Alex. ii 2032.
I kepe na lufe … Bot Cassamus, quhill at he will [F. s'il me voet reclamer]

C. prep. 1. Of time: Till, in the usual applications.(1) 1375 Barb. xv 101 (E).
Than quhill the Twysday in Pays wouk … thai trewys tuok 1386 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS App. 410.
That the Lytilton … suld dwell in the handis of … Sir Patrick … quhill the tyme that all the forsaydis personaris … sulde recouir the landys 1400 Facs. Nat. MSS II liii.
Yhour saufconduyt, endurand quhill the fest of the natiuite of Seint John 1408 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 176.
That qwil the date that the Lord of the Ilys haffis tak … that [etc.] 14.. Burgh Laws c. 83 (B).
He sal be haldyn … qwhyl the mornyng Ib. c. 20 (A).
He may suffer that lande to be wnbiggit quhil the tym [B. qwhil] he be of eys to byg 1456 Hay II 85/13.
And defer injure quhill ane othir tyme 1490 Irland Mir. II 37/12. 1499–1500 Acta Conc. II 378.
And the sade David promyctit til byd quhil noune 1515–16 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 36.
Ane wach of iiii men to wailk quhill tym of cokraw 1562-3 Winȝet I 77/21.
And keipit in dayly practyse to [MS quhill] this præsent in Godis kirk 1567 Crail Kirk S. 19 Nov.
To be put in the stepill vyll Sounday 1572 Lanark B. Rec. 66.
To haif ane provest electet … quhille Mechelmes nixt to cum 1575 Edinb. Test. III 258.
I ordine my wif & sone to interteny thame [my servants] honestlie quhill a terme a1578 Pitsc. II 125/5.
Gret singing [etc.] … continwed on quhill even quhill supper tyme 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 149/6.
Gif any … remaine quhill youre dayes c 1630 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 149.
They will be verie faint … whill the tyme they gett meat to eate(2) 1375 Barb. xviii 428.
Quhill his ending He ves renownyt 14.. Burgh Laws c. 93 (B).
He sal be … haldyn sykyrly qwhil the courte of the fayre 1494 Acta Aud. 202/2.
That … Jonet … remain in siclik possessioun … quhill the deciding of the said pley 1501–2 Treas. Acc. II 139.
Quhill the kingis agane cummyng 1513 Doug. vi Prol. 85. 1514 Facs. Nat. MSS III xi.
Fra the day … of the said Schir Williamis bying … quhill the makin of this present writt c1500-50 Brevis Cronica 335.
Quhill the cumming of the Bruce 1574 Acts III 87/1.
That the ordour and forme following be obseruit quhill the nixt parliament 1579 Reg. Morton I 120.
Quhill meting I … committis ȝow hairtie to God 1596 Glasgow B. Rec. I 180.
Fra daye to daye quhill perfyting and reparaling of all loynes a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 5.
Naine … should keep no mor victuall then will sustaine their famalie quhill new corne(b) 1610 Hist. Carnegies 344.
Ȝe sall send me no siluer quhull Schir John his bak cuming … for quhul his lordships going to Paris … I will haiff to serue me(3) 1460 Peebles B. Rec. I 137.
Ay quhyl the byscopis ham come 1496 Treas. Acc. I 326.
Bidand in Coldinghame fra the ferd day of Februare ay quhil Pasche 1511–12 Reg. Privy S. I 361/2. 1535 Stewart 38978.
[To] feft preistis to pray For all thair soullis ay quhill Dumisday — 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 249/1.
Gift … of the males … ay and will the entre of the richtuis ayre 1526 Ib. 527/1. 1695 Rothesay Par. Rec. 136.

b. In a negative context.Sometimes almost equivalent to Befor(e prep. 2. 1427 Acts II 16/2.
That na sic foulis be tane … fra Lenteryn quhill August a1500 Henr. Robene & M. 87.
My scheip to morne quhill houris nyne Will neid of no keping 1478 Peebles B. Rec. I 183.
He sall nocht ta … na fruttis … qwhyll the Witsonday cwm a yeir efter c 1525 Wemyss Corr. 67.
I spak nocht wytht Master Wilyem quhil yestyrda 1558 Black Bk. Taymouth 124.
Mayr and mayr snaw without ony thoyfft quhyl the xvij da of Januar 1598–9 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 101.
Compleitt the class … and nocht depairt thairfra quhil the end thairof 1610 Acts Sederunt i 66.
Whille 1622-6 Bisset II 55/7.
The said ylis returned nocht fullie to the croun of Scotland untill and quhill the mariage of King James the thrid 1674 Lanark B. Rec. 197.

c. Governing an adverbial of time.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 264 (C).
Thys is the cause … Why it delayed is whyl now ?1438 Alex. ii 4262.
That he na fand neuer sic ane man … quhill than 1464–5 Acts XII 30/2. c1475 Wall. ii 287 (see Forthirmar(e adv. 3). a1500 Seven S. 237.
That I haf kepit my madinhed Quhill now 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2269. 1576 Orkney Oppress. 49. 1600-1610 Melvill 57.
I understud never … whil now(2) 1375 Barb. xviii 491 (E).
And abade thar quhill ner the nycht c1420 Wynt. iv 360.
All the tyme that he thare lay Quhille on the morne day 14.. Burgh Laws c. 88 (B). c1475 Wall. xi 190.
This passyt our, quhill eftir a nothir day 1519–20 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 55.
Quhill ner Martynmes a1538 Abell 34a.
That is quhill eftir the Antechrist 1596 Dalr. I 165/14.
The Romanis … fled quhil farr in the nycht 1622-6 Bisset II 265/26.
They war nocht imprentted be Skenis collecting quhill in the ȝeir of God [1597] c1650 Spalding I 169.
Quhairof the marques had no knouledge whill vpone the morne(3) ?1438 Alex. i 2581.
Thow hes contenit this fell fechting Quhill now that nicht is cumin neir c1420 Wynt. viii 5899.
Yhit bade that se still wacande … Qwhill efftyr that the chapytere Gret instawns made a 1470 Liber Aberbr. II 106.
It stude in greit tranquilite … quhill now in thir dais in memor of man com thar ane office-man 1518 Peebles Chart. 46. 1549 Compl. 62/31.
That ve recreat our selfis vytht ioyus comonyng quhil on to the tyme that ve return to the scheip fald 1559 Q. Kennedy in Misc. Wodrow Soc. 268.
And wald not beleif me … quhill now that it come till this prief 1596 Boyd Fam. P. No. 84 (15 Dec.).
It sall not be lesum … to redeme the saids lands … quhill wnto the tyme all byrun fermes … be furst payit

2. With reference to place.

a. Followed by an adv. phr.: As far as. b. Up to (a certain place in a book). 1375 Barb. xi 538 (C).
Beneth the Park [sa] can thai fair, Quhill [E. weill] neuth the kirk — 1513 Doug. Comm. i i 3.
King Latynus, of quham eftyr in the vii buyk, quhill the end of this volume c 1590 Aberd. Council Lett. I 48.
Ane buik beginnand 8 Aug. 1558 and ending 8th Aug. 1560 wantis fra August quhill the last of September 1597 St. A. Kirk S. 834.
Ylk elder and deakin, … begynand at the first in the catholog quhill the end c1650 Spalding I 54.
[He] cam into Elgyne … quhair I will leave him whill folio 35