Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BAGREL, n. Also used attrib.
‡1. “A child” (Dmf. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 46).
†2. “A small person with a large belly” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 46).Mearns 1825 Jam.2:
“He's a bagrel body,” i.e. one who although puny is very plump.
3. A small fish such as a minnow. Cf. Bagglers.Per. 1910 (per Ayr.1):
There were several kinds of small fish in the Irvine. The name “bagrel” used in Perthshire . . . was not used at Newmilns.Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man III. xi:
Difficulty in fattening — a pig! baiting a hook for a bagrel! — a stickleback! — a perch!
