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.
Quotation dates: 1768-1825, 1992
[0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1]
SPRAWL, v., n. Also †spreul, †sprew, (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); sprowl (Sc. 1722 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 27; Inv. 1971); spravle (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., ‡Cai. 1971). Sc. forms and n. usages. [sprɑ:l, sprǫ:l; Rxb. + ′sprɑwəl]
1. A rush, struggle, scramble, onset (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), contest; a scatter of coins at a wedding for children to scramble for (Abd. 1971).Rxb. 1768 Session Papers, Buccleugh v. Turnbull etc. (10 March) 37:
There was a Dike on one side of a Fauld, built within the Edge of the Common, at which the Common-riders made a Sprawl, and brought in the Diker.Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson The Hollander x.:
Jock an' him has aft a sprawl Wha'll bring the biggest dark in.Cai. 1992 James Miller A Fine White Stoor 87:
Dougie thought suddenly that the world was the same as a puddock pool, filled with weeds and dim light, hotching with craiturs that spent their time fighting and spravelling about, one with another ...
2. Fig. of persons: see quot.Cld. 1825 Jam.:
One who is not to be overcome with difficulties, who makes a hard struggle, is said to be "an unco sprawl of a body." It also implies the idea that the person is of a diminutive size.
