Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
THRASHEL, n. Also thrashol(d) (Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poems II. 226, -hold; Abd. 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes lxii.), thrashal (Abd. 1867 A. Allardyce Goodwife 12), threshal (Sc. 1787 A. Pennecuik Coll. Sc. Poems 12); tressel (Sh.); threshwart (Abd. 1931 D. Campbell Uncle Andie 39), -wort. Sc. forms, also in Eng. dial., of Eng. threshold, the stone sill of a doorway (Abd. 1900 G. Williams Fairmer's Twa Tint Laddies 57; Mry., Abd., Dmb. 1972); also a wooden sill resting on the threshold against which the door shuts. Combs. door-thrashel, see Door, n.1, 4. (14), thrashel stane.Fif. 1825 Jam.:
The threshwart is distinguished from the dore-stane, the former denoting the sill or piece of wood, above the dore-stane, in old houses, on which the door shut, as it was also meant for throwing off the rain.Bnff. 1933 M. Symon Deveron Days 26:
Wi' Huns upon wir thrashel-stane.Mry. 1971:
It's as firm as Fittie's door-thrashle, i.e. firm as a rock.
