Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PAILIN, n., v. Also pailing; palin; pellin (Rs. 1789 W. MacGill Old Ross-shire (1909) 194). pealin (Slg. 1804 “Transforthanus” Poems 53). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. paling. [′pelɪn]
I. n.
Sc. forms of Eng. paling. Also attrib.Slk. 1985 Walter Elliot Clash-ma-clavers 7:
Jim's hammer wus bie aa accoonts
A wunderfae machine
... It ca'ad in nails in palin rails ... Gsw. 1993 Margaret Sinclair Soor Plooms and Candy Balls 15:
Jumpin' o'er the dykes noo, watch ye don't fa' aff.
Sure fitted ah wisnae, ma pals hid many a laugh,
Take yer time, pit wan fit first, that way ye'll get through,
Balancin' oan the pailin's, aye it's awright fur you.
Sc. usages:
As in Eng. Comb. pailing-stab, -stob, a paling post (Sh., n.Sc., wm.Sc., Kcb. 1965). See Stob.
II. v. tr. To enclose with a fence or paling. Gen.Sc. Freq. with advs. aff, in, up.Abd. 1913 C. Murray Hamewith 36:
The policies a' pailined aff an' set.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 63:
But noo they [the woods]'re fairly pailin't up Wi' wicket weer that prods.
