Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cavill, v.¹ Also: cawill, cawl-. [f. Cavill n. Cf. Cavelling vbl. n. and Kavill v.]

1. intr. To fall by chance; to happen. c1550 Rolland C. Venus i. 529.
Thocht it sa cauill for anis In goddis Kirk it hurtis greit deuotioun

2. tr. To divide or assign by lot. 1572 Elfin Rec. I. 130.
That ane of the bailȝeis … pas to the landis … and thair cawill and diwyd the sone syd of tham fra the schaddow syd thairof 1636 Misc. Spald. C. V. 226.
Thair pairts of the … lands of Caniglerich that was sighted, cawled, and laid by to them be the barlamen 1668 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 105.
To ordaine their said stockis and rowmes to be lotted yearly and cavillit