Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1705-1757, 1810, 1898-1929
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PAIRCEL, n., v. Also pairsel (Abd. 1931 A. M. Williams Bundle of Yarns 22); pearsle (Uls. 1920 J. Logan Uls. in X-Rays 80); percel (Uls. 1879 W. Lyttle Paddy McQuillan 23; Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gatt. Gossip 98); parshel (Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 127). Sc. forms and usage of Eng. parcel. See P.L.D. §51 (2). A small company or collection (of persons or animals); a group, set, herd, flock (Sh., Ayr., Uls. 1965). Now obs. in Eng. exc. dial.Sc. 1705 Analecta Scot. (Maidment 1837) II. 25:
There came a parcel of English officers, I think, down towards the borders to uplift recruits; it seems they found difficulty to get men.Sc. 1739 Earls Crm. (Fraser 1876) II. 286:
He has taken four or five parcells of cattle out of my own country within this year and an half.Per. 1757 Edb. Ev. Courant (10 Nov.):
Stoln from Fountainhall near Crieff a parcel of Sheep.Slk. 1810 Hogg Tales (1874) 238:
Thus was I . . . sent to herd one of the parcels of sheep.Kcb. 1898 Crockett Standard Bearer xxi.:
Ye will be none the worse of the parcel o' braw lads ye saw at the barn-end.Peb. 1929 T. W. Paterson Sc. Readings II. 85:
I got sittin' doon wi' a' ma paircels.
