Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FEEL, n.1, v. Sc. usages:
†I. n. Notion, idea, knowledge.em.Sc. 1706 in J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 55:
For if they had had any Feel, That I had made them such a Reel.
II. v. Pa.t. felt; feelt (Cai. 1872 M. McLennan Peasant Life 305), feeled (Ags. 1894 A. Reid Howetoon 122). To perceive by smell or taste (Sc. 1779 J. Beattie Scotticisms 9). Gen.Sc. Also in Eng. dial. Obs. in Eng. since c.1700.Sc. 1764 in Boswell in Holland (ed. Pottle 1952) 129:
She talked low to you and close, perhaps to feel breath.Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 83:
You complain much of that tannery, but I cannot say I feel it.Sc. 1887 Jam.:
Don't you feel the bitter flavour of the orange?Sc. 1925 W. Stewart Robert Burns 93:
There may have been midnight oil, but you can never feel the smell of it.Sc. 1951 Abd. Press and Jnl. (8 Oct.):
Miss Gartly felt the smell of something burning.
