Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†WANNLE, adj. Also wanle, wannel. Supple, agile, nimble; active, vigorous (Rxb. 1825 Jam., ‡1923 Watson W.-B.). Also in n.Eng. dial. as wandle.Slk. 1803 Hogg Mountain Bard 182:
The Stuart is sturdy and wannel.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxiv.:
The bairn grew up to be a fine wanle fallow.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 22:
Blyth Jock, a wannel wabster lad, To be ahind did scorn.Sc. a.1830 Johnie Scot in Child Ballads (1956) IV. 491:
But Johny was a wannle youth, And that he weel did show.Slk. 1917 H. J. C. Clippings from Clayboddie (1921) 202:
We think of the brave fellows, leish and wanle, as they marched off to the fight.
