Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡STICKLE, v. To have scruples, to raise objections; with inf.: to hesitate, scruple to (Sc. 1904 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1971). Also in Eng. dial. and found in liter. Eng. in 19th c.Sc. 1700 R. Wodrow Early Letters (S.H.S.) 62:
Would these in England that stickled so much about the ceremonies have had soe much folly?Sc. 1720 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I.77:
And, with your Leave, I needna stickle To say we're in a sorry Pickle.
