Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BREEL, n. A whirring motion, the rapid turning of a wheel.Gall. 1881 J. K. Scott Gall. Gleanings 62:
I gaured ye gae roun' wi' a bum an' a breel, I likit your music, my aul' spinnin' wheel.
[From Breel, v. The suggested etym. appears to be paralleled in Dirl, v.1, and Dreel. Cf. Eng. †brill, to vibrate, of echoic orig.]