Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 2000-2004
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SPENTACLE(S), n. (pl.) Also spenctacles, spenticle(s); sprenticles. Sc. forms of Eng. spectacle(s) (Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 107, Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems 104, spenctacles, 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 143, spenticle; Sc. 1887 Stevenson Merry Men ii.; Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 147, spenticles; Fif. 1909 J. C. Craig Sangs o' Bairns 38, Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 267, sprenticles; Uls. 1953 Traynor, Bwk., Dmf. 1971). Cf. Spartickles.Dmf. 2000 Betty Tindal Old Mortality 13:
His rig-out wis fenished aff wi a pair o' spentacles, bit as they'd been hard wrought for he only wore them when workin on his letterin, wi the clourer an kinsh. Ah grant that at first glence he micht hae lookit a wee bit donnert. Edb. 2004:
Ah've had tae wear spentacles since Ah wis a bairn - an a still hate them!