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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GAMPHREL(L), n. Also gamfrel, -il. A bumptious, foolish person (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr., Gl. 692; Sc. 1818 Sawers; Rxb. 1825 Jam., gamphrell, ‡1923 Watson W.-B.; Uls. 1924 North. Whig (5 Jan.), gamfril; ‡Ayr.4 1928).Sc. a.1758 Ramsay Poems (1800) II. 511:
Or drest in saddle, howse, and bridle, To gallop with some gamphrel idle.
s.Sc. 1847 H. S. Riddell Poems 310:
Heigh me! is thus the gamfrel gane? What will they yet come to O.

[Gamf, n., q.v. + suff. -rel(l).]

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