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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.

CHISELL, Chissel, Chizzel, n. and v. Cf. Chassal and Eng. chessel. [′tʃɪzəl, tʃɪsl]

1. n. “A cheese-press” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.). Used fig. in quot.Dmf. c.1880 (per Fif.13):
I never like to see folk gaun ower far out o' the chissel they were staned in.

2. v. “To press in a cheese-vat” (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.2, chisell, chizzel).Sc. 1820 Blackwood Mag. (July) 379:
Here's some ewe milk cheese, milked wi' my ain hand, . . . pressed and chiselled wi' my ain hand.

[Prob. a contracted form of Cheswell, q.v., with vowel change in first syllable, for which cf. chisset, chizzart, etc., s.v. Chessart.]

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