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.
Quotation dates: 1732-1739, 1833-1871, 1927
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DILSE, n. Also obs. forms dil(l)s, dilce. The form dulse has been standardised in Eng. and is not illustrated. The common dulse, Rhodymenia palmata (Sc. 1777 J. Lightfoot Flora Scotica II. 933, dils, 1886 B. and H. 151, dills; Sh. 1845 T. Edmonston Flora of Sh.; 1914 Angus Gl.). Known to Cai.9 1946, Bnff.2, Abd.2, Ags.2 1940. [dɪls]Sc. 1732 J. Arbuthnot Rules of Diet 257:
Dilse, a Sea-Plant, antiscorbutick.Sh. 1927 J. Gray in Sh. Times (23 April):
He never said onything aboot . . . dills.Sth. 1739 in C. D. Bentinck Dornoch (1926) 443:
The Session being informed that both in time of divine worship and after several of the inhabitants throwing aside all fear of God do repair in crowds to the shore for diversion and gathering Dilce.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vii.:
Wudna ye sen' a puckle o' the dilse to the goodwife, man?Ags. 1833 J. S. Sands Poems 74:
Beyond the scart, on a bunch o' dilse.
