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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†SPIRL, v. To run about in a lively way; to whirl around (Slk. 1825 Jam.). Vbl.n. spirling, a contention, a broil (Per. 1825 Jam.).Ags. 1818 in G. Hay Round O (1883) 240:
The wives and bairns did scream and skirl, And naked o'er the leys did spirl.Sc. 1886 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) IX. 71:
An' aye the burnie it lauched an' ran, An' spattered, an' pattered, an' spirled, an' span.

[Appar. a variant, with prothetic s, of Pirl, v.]

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