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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WRATWEL, n. Also wrattle, wruttle, writtle, ritwall; wortril, wartweil; vratwell (Jam.). A loose piece of skin at the base of the finger-nail, an agnail (Sc. 1808 Jam., s.v. Wartweil; Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 324, ritwall; Fif. (wrattle), e.Lth. (wortril), Lnk. (wrattle, wruttle, writtle) 1967). Also in Eng. dial.

[Met. form of Mid.Eng. wortewale, id., O.E. wyrtwala, root. Cf. Mid. Du. wortele, id.]

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