Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SCURL, n., v. Also skurl(e). [skʌrl]
I. n. The scab which forms over a healing sore or wound (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; ne.Sc., Ags., Per., Rxb. 1969). Adj. scurly, covered with a scab or cicatrix.Abd. 1873 J. Ogg Willie Waly 88:
Gory wounds, and scurly scars.Abd.1 1929:
Watch an' nae brak' the scurl an hae yer finger bleedin' again.Rxb. 1958 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 24:
Beelin' fingers and skurls.Slk. 1999 Jules Horne in Moira Burgess and Donny O'Rourke New Writing Scotland 17: Friends and Kangaroos 60:
Like when you try to jump off at the real swings, you have to wait until it feels right or you'll just do your knees in. Like when you get wee stones and muck all stuck in your hands from falling and it's fair sore. I had a teesh scurl there once.
II. v. To form a scab or crust (on a wound) (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Dim. form of Scur, n.1]