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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.

SQUEAL, v., n. Also squeel; and ne.Sc. forms squile (Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 41; Bnff., Abd. 1971), sqwile (Abd. 1880 W. Robbie Yonderton 157; Bnff. 1893 G. G. Green Kidnappers xi.), squyle (Abd. 1929) and deriv. squilach (Abd. 1928).

Sc. usages. Cf. Skoil. [skwi:l; Abd. + skwəil].

I. v. In extended usage: to grumble, scold (Mry. 1930).Lnk. 1862 D. Wingate Poems 46:
Though ae trout meltit frae a tak, Ye didna often squeel.

II. n. 1. An outcry, uproar, quarrel.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 65:
Ye needna gang sae far afiel' To tell how Tea has bred a squeel.

Phr. on the squeal, -squeel, on the spree.Lnk. 1877 W. McHutchison Poems 35:
The Templar's fair off; he's since then on the squeel.Lnk. 1895 A. G. Murdoch Readings II. 53:
See to it that you cultivate milder spiritual tastes next time you go on the merry “squeal.”

2. An informer, a tell-tale.Sc. 1821 D. Haggart Life 125:
He only wanted to give the decker a milvadering, as he was a complete geach and squeal.