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.
†ENEL-SHEET, ENNLE SHEITT, n. comb. A winding sheet, shroud.Sc. 1696 Stitchill Baron Court Bk. (S.H.S.) 121:
12 sh. money . . . as the pryce of ane Ennle sheitt.Lnk. 1808 W. Watson Poems 93:
Forbye a dainty enel sheet, Twa cods, whilk in the bouster meet.Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
The enel-sheet was a double sheet of fine linen which thrifty females selected and carefully preserved in fold ready to be used as a covering for their dead body before it was put in the coffin. It was a special requisite of a bride's outfit, and decked her bed on the marriage night: after which it was carefully laid past to be used again only as her last earthly covering.
