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.
WIELD, v. Also weild, weeld, ¶wiald (Sc. 1783 Rose the Red in Child Ballads No. 103 A. lvi.); wiel' (e.Lth. 1896 J. Lumsden Battles 47), weil (Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads II. 110). See P.L.D. § 64.1. For other Sc. forms see Wald, n.2, v., Waddin, adj. Sc. usages:
1. To have or procure for one's disposal. obtain, get hold of, possess. Obs. in Eng. in early 17th c.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 293:
Wi' you I'll not marry, ye old rummelgarie, A yankie that's young I will weild.
2. To direct, control the movement of one's body. Obs. in Eng. Vbl.n. ‡weelins, control of one's body, full use of one's limbs or faculties (Abd. 1974).Dmf. 1823 J. Kennedy Poems 28:
Our curlers keen their bodies wield For pies and drink.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 64:
If he had the richt weelins o' himself, he wis as gweed as Rairey.Abd. 1929:
Stick in, an' lat's see ye hae the wielins o' yer airms.
Hence adj. wieldy, easy to wield, fig. of verse: supple, well-managed; n. wieldiness, fluency, neatness.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 11, 106:
With wieldy verse and jinglin', He sings o' muirs and mosses . . . Bodies wha wad write should twine, With ready link the line to line, Make weildiness and wit combine.
