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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ROUNDEL, n. Also roundell, roundle, roondil (Fif. 1875 A. Burgess Poute 84); runale (Edb. 1755 Edb. Sasines (Reg. Ho.) cxlvi. 168). roonal, rounall; runnal, runnel. Sc. forms and usages. [′run(d)əl] As in Eng., anything of a circular form. Specif.: (1) a round turret (em.Sc.(a), sm.Sc. 1968). Comb. roundel stair, a narrow winding stair in a turret; (2) a circular sheep-fold (Cai., Per., Lnk. 1968); (3) a circular patch of grass worn smooth by cattle (see quot.) (w. Lth., Lnk. 1968); (4) the moon (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 414); (5) a pot-belly; (6) a circular heap (Bnff.⁵ 1926, roonal; Per., w.Lth. 1968); (7) a rounded enclosure in front of a pulpit. Cf. Reenge, n.¹, 3.(1) Sc. 1738 D. Defoe Tour Gt. Brit. III. 248:
[The castle of Drumlanrig] is Four-square, with Roundels in the inner Angles of the Court.Rs. 1828 C. Bowles Tales of the Moors Intro. xv.:
The odd turrets, or roundles, as they used to be called in Scotland.Edb. 1888 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 284:
Where the Duchess of Gordon held court up a roundell stair.(2) Peb. 1927 G. Meiklejohn Settlements & Roads of Scotland 119:
“Roundels” are built for winter shelter and in them hay is stored for feeding [sheep].(3) Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 371:
In large fields these great flocks of oxen graze together, they have places where they aften assemble following each other round and round. These circular spots then shorn of grass are termed paddled rounalls.(5) Cai. 1930 John o' Groat Jnl. (4 April):
He should see 'e fine roonals o' kites 'at Francie an' Willie hes.(7) Ayr. 1871 J. Paterson Reminisc. 107:
The “runnel” of the Cameronian Kirk.Ayr. 1895 J. Walker Old Kilmarnock 162:
A fair number of babies in “the runnal” on a Sabbath afternoon.