Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MUILD, n.2 Also mul(e) (Jam.), møl (Jak.); mool; meel, and dims. moolie, meelie. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. mould, a pattern. See P.L.D. § 35. 1. and 128. [møl(d), ne.Sc. mil; mul. See note to Muild, n.1]
1. A button-mould of bone or metal (Sc. 1825 Jam., mule; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 112, meel; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), mul, møl); a button consisting of such a mould covered with cloth, in mod. usage a flat linen-covered button (Lnk. 1822 G. R. Kinloch MS.; Cai.1 1903 E.D.D.; Bnff.8 c.1920, meelie button; Mry.1 1925, meelie). Also attrib.Mry. 1720 E. Dunbar Social Life (1865) 196:
To muilds and stey teps . . . 8sh. scots.Edb. 1738 Forfeited Estate Papers (S.H.S.) 7:
For threed and muls . . . 0. 1. 6.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 125:
Now faith an' trouth, like auld pea hools, Or babee dozen button mools Are little thought of in my skules.Rnf. 1873 D. Gilmour Pen' Folk 50:
Our fathers following in their short grey eoats, with black mool buttons.
2. A square piece of wood used as a pattern measure for the size of the mesh of a herring net.Bnff. 1939 Folklore L. 344:
When a herring net was warped, the mould, or square piece of wood used for fixing the size of the mesh, was steeped in whisky for luck.
