Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1813, 1911
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†HOUSAL, adj., n. Also hoosal.
I. adj. Household, belonging to the house (Sc. 1882 Francisque-Michel 424). Obs. in Eng. in late 17th c.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 5:
In sicken housal wark she bure a skair.
II. n. The master of ceremonies at a wedding. The full form maister hoosal, id., is also found (Ork.5 1957).Ork. 1911 J. Omond 80 Years Ago 12:
The master of ceremonies, called the “hoosal” (household), saw that each guest got a dram and a biscuit and cheese on arrival.
