Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SMUIL, n., v. Also smule; smell (Jak.); smill; smyle, smijll (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), smoil-. [smɪ, smuil]
1. n. Gen. as a coll. sing.: bits, fragments, smithereens (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1970). Freq. in phr. in smill. Also in intensive forms smuilter, sm(o)(i)lter, smilder, id., a collection of small things or creatures (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 201, 1914 Angus Gl.).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (26 Feb.):
Niver may I sin if I dünna lay yon bottle in smill atween your haands.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (17 Nov.):
I houp he's no fa'n an' laid her in smyle.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He laid it i' smilder, smilters; to geng i' smilder.
II. v. To break into fragments, smash to pieces, crumble (Ork. 1880 Jam.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). Vbl.n. smellins, smillins, fragments (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Norw. smule, smulder, fragment, particle, smule, smuldre, to crush, crumble. The phonology suggests influence from Norw. mylja, to crush, and poss. Sc. millin, Muild, v., Muilder.]
