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.
GARPAL, n. “Used loosely as a descriptive term with no very exact connotation — big, stout, etc. ‘A muckle garpal o' a fellow'” (Ork. 1929 Marw.). [′gɑrpəl]
[Cf. Norw. dial. garp, coarse, rough person, Faer., Mod. Icel. garpur, garpi, strong, bold man, O.N. garpr, a bold, dauntless man. For the suff. -al cf. Haiverel, Stammerel.]
