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.
TIRSIPEL, n. Also -bel(t), tirsibald; and in sense 3., trossi-, trussiebelt. [′tɪrsɪpəl, -bəl(t), ′ trʌsɪbəlt]
1. A shred, rag, tatter of cloth.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (14 Aug.):
Yon deil's machineery at rives hit an ivery idder thing in tirsibalds.
2. A slovenly person (Sh. 1905 E.D.D.).
3. “A kind of thin stalk of seaweed with small leaves growing round it” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), prob. some variety of Laminaria resembling 1. (Sh. 1972).Sh. 1950 New Shetlander No. 20. 27:
Da mareel is sparklin on da trussie belts.
