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.
Quotation dates: 1969
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SPILE, n., v.1 Also spyle (Bnff. 1880 Jam.); irreg. spail. [spəil]
I. n. 1. A splinter, chip, narrow strip of wood. Now only in combs., spile-stick (Ags. 1911), spile-tree (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 231; Abd., Kcd. 1971), spilin-tree (Mry., Bnff. 1911; Rs., Fif. 1921 T.S.D.C.), a pole on which fishing lines are hung to be cleaned or baited. Also reduced forms spailin (Fif. 1911), spil-tree (Kcd. 1911), id.ne.Sc. 1969 Scottish Studies XIII. i. 7:
The method of hauling in bights makes it possible for a pole, or as it is usually called a 'spiletree' or 'line wand' to be passed through the bights and the line hung out on the pole to dry.
2. A wooden plug for stopping the vent of a cask, a bung, a spigot (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., n. and m.Sc., Kcb. 1971). Comb. spile-hole (Bnff. 1930). Also in Eng. dial.
3. A kind of crowbar for making holes for fence-posts (Bwk. 1971).
II. v. With up: to hang fishing-lines on a pole to be cleaned (ne.Sc. 1971).
[O.Sc. spile, a splinter of wood, 1513, Mid.Du., M.L.Ger. spile, splinter, wooden pin or peg.]
