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.
KIRNEL, n. Also kirnell, kernal, -el; girnal (Cai.). See also Gornal. Sc. forms and usages:
1. A kernel (Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 141, 1759 J. Justice Brit. Gardener's Cat. 59; Kcb. 1897 T. Murray Poems 106, Kcb. 1960).
2. A lump or hard gathering below the the skin, gen. in the neck, a swollen gland (Fif., Lth., Kcb., Dmf., Rxb. 1960); a boil (Cai. 1940 John o' Groat Jnl. (2 April), girnal). Phr.: wax(en) kernels, id. (Sc. 1731 J. Moncrief Poor Man's Physician 174; w.Sc. 1741 A. McDonald Galick Vocab. 25, waxing kernals; Fif. 1912 D. Rorie Mining Folk of Fife 405; Fif., Lth., Kcb., Dmf., Rxb. 1960). Cf. Chirnel, q.v., and Wax. Also in Eng. dial.Abd. 1847 Gill Binklets 53:
[It] raised, as his mother expressed it, a kirnel on his head like a hen's egg.
3. A gland in an animal's body used as food; in pl.: lamb's fry, lamb's testicles (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Gall. 1960).Sc. 1704 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 350:
A lyre and Huckbone of beife 24sh., kirnells 2sh.
