Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHELVIN, n. Also shilvin (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 154); shelvement (Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm III. 1088; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein), shilvant (Ags. 1825 J. Ross Sermon 26), shellmint (Per., Fif., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Fif. 1970), -mount (e.Lth. 1885 S. Mucklebackit Rhymes 154), shelmont, -mond; shellmit (Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 265; Fif., Lnk. 1970); shilment (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), -mont, -met; shilmen (Per., Bte. 1970), -mine; shelm (Lnk. 1825 Jam.); shellwing (Sh., Ork., Cai. 1970), sell-, shel(l)band, shilban(d) (Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 154; Ayr. 1970), -b(l)in; skelvin (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); skelmunt (Per. 1921 T.S.D.C.). Gen. in pl.: orig. appar. the flat upper surface of the side-rails of a box-or tip-cart, but now gen. applied to moveable boards which are fitted into these to increase its depth and allow higher or bulkier loads, esp. of hay, corn or peats, to be carried (Ags. 1808 Jam., shilvins; Lth. 1825 Jam., shelments, shelms; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Sh., Cai. (shellwing), ne. (shelvin), m. (shilmen, -met, -ban), s.Sc. (shilment) 1970); occas. applied to the hay- or corn-frames fitted to a cart during harvest (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson). The differences in definition are to some extent due to the structural changes in carts at different times in different areas. [ne.Sc. ′ʃɛlvən; m. and s.Sc. ′ʃɪlmən(t), -mət; wm.Sc. ′ʃɛlbən]Sc. 1705 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 373:
For makeing a new shilmine to the coall cart.Ork. 1747 P. Ork. A.S. XII. 49:
The Coup, beeam and Shilmers [sic] of ane oaxen wean.Gall. 1810 S. Smith Agric. Gall. 101:
Frames of a different kind termed shell bands are used for carting hay, corn, and other sorts of bulky top loading.Lth. 1825 Jam.:
Shilmonts, shelments: the longitudinal bars of the sides of a muck-bodied or close cart; whether these serve to connect and compact rungs, according to the more ancient construction, or slots, which are now more generally used in the low country.Sc. 1845–7 Trans. Highl. Soc. 219:
The upper head bar laid flat ways and arched, bolted down to shelmonds.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb i.:
Ye hinna on the hin' shelvin' o' the cairt.Kcb. 1897 Crockett Lads' Love xix.:
Coulters, plough-handles, “shilblins” or red cart top-rails of various design.Cai. 1934 John o' Groat Jnl. (9 Nov.) 2:
'At moniment o' a gricey iz lek til go ower 'e sell-wing o' e' kert.Bnff. 1956 Banffshire Jnl. (26 Feb.):
I hed gane up an' loadit twa cairts up tae the shelvins wi' as bonnie peats as ever cam' oot o' a moss.