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.
YLEN, adj. Of a herring: spent, without the roe, spawned. Only in official usage from Du.Sc. 1864 J. M. Mitchell Herring 114:
The full herrings separated from matjes and these separated from “ylen,” empty or shotten herrings.
