Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DORBEL, n. “Any thing that has an unseemly appearance” (Ayr. 1825 Jam.2).
[Extension of obs. Eng. dorbel, a scholastic pedant, a dolt; from Nicholas de Orbellis (d.1455), a supporter of Duns Scotus. The adj. dorbel(l)ish, clumsy, is found in Lin. and Nrf. dial.]
