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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.
SWAMBLE, v., n. Also swam(b)l, swammel (Jak.). [swɑmbl]
I. v. To wrangle, dispute, have a quarrel (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
II. n. An altercation, wordy dispute or argument (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Sh. variant, with nasalisation, of Eng. squabble (cf.Q, letter, 1.), phs. formally influenced by Sh. Norn swamble, a splashing, swirling or floundering about.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Swamble v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/swamble>
