Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MAIL, n.4 Also †mylie. [mel]
1. Weaving: a metal eye through which the warp thread passes in a loom. In gen. use in weaving areas in Scot. and Eng.Sc. 1808 J. Duncan Weaving II. 158:
The eyes of the harness leaves are made of tin or copper, and are called mails, by weavers.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 152:
Temper yer ilka thrum and thread, Yea, whither they wimple thro' a head, Or thro' a mail.Rnf. 1904 M. Blair Paisley Shawl 36:
At the lower end of each of these harness twines was a metal eye, called a “mail” through which the warp thread passed, with a weight below in the form of a thin piece of lead, to bring it down and keep it straight.
2. Pl. “the small links on a fishing-rod through which the line runs” (Sc. 1825 Jam., mylies).
[O.Sc. mailyhie, an eyelet, c.1470, Fr. maille, loop, mesh. Cf. Eng. mail, chain armour.]
