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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOONSPAL, BONSPELL, n. Bound, leap; rush.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
He cam upon a bonspell.Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 33:
Paety teuk aff the lock, an' wus tae ha'd for the door wi a boonspal; whin Brockie grippid him bae the cuff o' the neck.

[Boon, bon, Ork. variants of Eng. bound; the second element is perhaps the same as Sh. spjal, to sprawl, Fær. spjalka, to kick, sprawl (Jak.), from Norw. spjetka, spjaaka, to strut, jump about with bare legs (Torp).]

3933

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