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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.

BEDAL(L), BEDDAL, BEDDEL, n. A bedridden person. See Bedlar and Bed(d)ral(l). [bɛdl Abd., Mearns; ′bɛdrəl Bnff.]Bnff.2 1933:
Beddal, but bedral more common.
Abd.(D) 1875 W. Alexander Life Amang My Ain Folk 89:
An' foo cud ye expeck that creaturs wud like to be chaumer't up . . .'s gin they war as mony bedalls.
Abd.(D) 1928 J. Wight in Word-Lore III. vi. 149:
An' fan Aw gid in there wis ma midder, peer aul bedal. [Also known by Abd.2 and Abd.4 1933.]
Mearns3 1932:
Beddel, an invalid, one confined to bed (Laurencekirk).

[O.Sc. bedel(l), also beda(i)ll, beddal. “The west volt . . . for the ressait of pure folkis, decrepit bedellis” (Peebles Burgh Rec. 1561). Prob. from Bedlar, q.v., through the met. form Bed(d)ral(l), q.v., and by contamination of Beddal.]

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