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.
RUCKLE, v.2, n.2, adj. Also rukkle, rukkel, rukl; ¶rachle. [rʌkl]
I. v. 1. To wrinkle, crease, work into folds (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc., Ags., Per., w.Lth., wm.Sc., Gall. 1968). Also in Eng. dial.; to make very rough (Angus). Ppl.adj. ruckled, wrinkled, creased (Edm.; Ork. 1968). Of faces: wrinkled, worn (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Uls. 1953 Traynor, rachled).Sc. 1889 Blackwood's Mag. (Sept.) 295:
His face is shiny and is ruckled with high ridges and low furrows.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De skin is rukkeld.
2. To shrug the shoulders (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
II. n. 1. A wrinkle, fold, corrugation, crease (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); I.Sc., Ags., Per., w.Lth., wm.Sc., Gall. 1968). Rare in Eng. Deriv. ruckly, rough, ridged. having a wrinkled, corrugated, uneven surface (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1968).Sh. 1905 Shetland Times (3 June):
The deep, broad “rukkles” of the belly [of a whale].Sh. 1923 T. Manson Lerwick 291:
It was a very “ruckly” thoroughfare, cobbled-stoned two-thirds of its extent.
2. A swell in the sea (Sh. 1968).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Der a rukl i' de sea.
III. adj. Rough, uneven, wrinkled (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1968).
[Norw. rukla, wrinkle, ridge, deriv. of O.N. hrukka, a wrinkle, from which comes Eng. ruck, crease or fold.]
