Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHANNEL STANE (STONE), CHENNEL-, n. comb.
1. A curling-stone (Fif.10, Lnk.3, Kcb.9 1939; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., chennel-).Sc. 1938 St Andrews Cit. (26 Feb.) 7/6:
The original [curling] stones were channel stones taken from a river, and had no particular shape. Then there was a great change when the stones got a handle.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller of Deanhaugh i.:
They knew, too, the weights, sizes, and tendencies of every channel stane.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 158:
The vig'rous youth, In bold contention met, the channelstane, The bracing engine of a Scottish arm, To shoot wi' might and skill.w.Dmf. 1910 J. L. Waugh Cracks wi' Robbie Doo x.:
Wishin' to goodness we had had . . . a settled doon black frost, so that we could have had a fling at the channel stanes.
2. By synecdoche, applied to the game itself.Sc. a.1835 Hogg in Whistle-Binkie (1832–1846) Series III. 33:
There's no a game amang them a' Can match auld Scotland's Channel Stane.
