We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

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.

FEEVL, n. Also feivl, fivel, fivl(a) (Jak.). A light fall or thin covering of snow (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.10 1951).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 39:
Just as much as can give to the ground a weird, silver-grey appearance is called a “fivla o' snaa”.

[Met. forms of O.N. fǫl(va), thin sprinkling of snow. Cf. Faer. felv, id. The vowel change is unexplained.]

10965

snd