Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1827-1828, 1890-1945
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QUILL, n., v. Also queel (Gall. 1903 Gallovidian V. 140); quull- (Sc. 1831 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) III. 262).
I. n. 1. Fig. Sc. usages, the throat, gullet. Phr. to weet one's quill, to take some drink. From the obs. Eng. usage = a small pipe or tube.Rnf. 1827 W. Taylor Poems 17:
Jamie was sure to fill the gill, If bid sit down to weet his quill.
2. ? A ruff, from the tubular pleats on it which were known as quills (N.E.D.).Sc. 1828 The Gardener in Child Ballads No. 219 A. xi.:
The lily white to be your smock; And the jelly-flower to be your quill.
3. Comb. quill-pen, used fig. in phr. quill-pen quyte, a swallow-tailed coat, "tails" (Bnff. 1967).Abd. 1914 J. Leatham Daavit 64:
The club dined in state . . . every member and permitted guest appearing in what David called "a quill-pen quyte."
II. v. To use a quill or writing pen; tr. to write. Liter. and rare.Lnk. 1890 J. Coghill Poems 67:
This screed whilk he's juist new dune quillin'.Peb. 1945 J. Dickson Poems (per Slg.3):
For each and a' the cheque's been quilled Wi' nae successors.
