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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BAAL, BALL, v. [bal, bɑ:l I.Sc., but Ork. + bɛl (Marw.)]

1. To strike something noisily, to work energetically at; pelt (with clods, snowballs).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De lass stød ballin de boots.
Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was ballan me wi peats.

2. To throw, to fling.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To ball onyting at ane.
Sh. 1931 Saga in Shet. Times (14 Mar.) 7:
Da braands wis bün faain' tik an' baalin' oot spunks an' sparks laek soe, an' wis jimpit up owir Kirsty's ringlit kot in shooirs.
Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Ballan stones at the kye.

[O.N. bella, to hit; Icel. bella, to knock against something noisily. The word is prob. influenced also by ball, O.N. bǫllr, Norse ball.]

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