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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.

RANEGILL, n. Also rannygill; rennygull. A rough, belligerent, ruffianly character, esp. applied to tinkers (Rxb. 1825 Jam., Abd., Kcd., Rxb. 1967).Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxi.:
They mith eleck ony wil' ranegill, or ca'd aboot neer-do-weel.

[O.Sc. rannegald, renegade, from a.1508, the l phs. arising from confusion with O.Sc. rangle, a rabble, O.Fr. ringaille, the lowest ranks or riff-raff of an army . See Rangle.]

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