Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
REEBALD, n. Also reebelt; ribild; reebal, reeble (Sh., Bnff.); rybel. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. ribald, now obs. in Eng. as a term of opprobrium applied to a person: a good-for-nothing, scoundrel (I.Sc. 1968); a greedy person or animal (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 141). [′ribəl(d)]Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St. Patrick II. xvii.:
What hae ye made o' my Jock, ye muckle gauntres o' a rybel loon, it ye are?Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 6:
Whar's that reebal 'at cam' tae your hoose.Sh. 1902 J. Burgess Some Sh. Folk 94:
Du's welcom' til him, da drukken, ösless ribild 'at he is.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 19:
I raise fae me saet, took me bottle under me oxter (for feth I wisna laevin him ta da reebalds).
