Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FABALA, n. Sc. Variant of Eng. falbala, a flounce, trimming, furbelow (Mry.¹ 1925).Sc. c.1800 J. Maidment Sc. Ballads (1859) 190:
With box-plaits and fringes close down to my feet; My apron is fringed with a fine fa' bala'.Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 135:
Foreign fabalas o' Claise, To mak' them bra!Bch. 1934 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 124:
Your fabala's an' perlin's tak a hantle o' time by's mine 'at are sae easy to pit aff an' on.