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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HETTLE, adj. Fiery, irritable (Cld. 1825 Jam.). Also in Eng. dial. = hasty, eager, and in comb. hettle-tongued, irascible.

[Etym. doubtful. Phs. O.Sc. hetful, c.1470, id., lit. “full of heat” and for the phonology cf. Cairtle, Hantle, Housle, Cogill, Fersell. But cf. also O.E. hetol, hetel, full of hate.]

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