Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DERL, DERREL, n. [′dærəl]
1. The tail of an animal, esp. of a sheep (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), der(re)l; 1914 Angus Gl.).
2. The tail-root; “the hindmost bone of the spine of an animal” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
3. Extended to mean something hanging down, a rag (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[A reduced form of Derdel, q.v.]
