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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Famell, a. and n. Also: famel, -ele, -eill, -al(e, -ail(l, -aille. [Med. L.famella, var. of femella. Cf. Female a.]

1. adj. Female. (Freq. in 16th c. of heirs.)(a) 1468 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 406.
Ony otheris of my kyne male or famell a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 97.
Twenty four chikkynis of thame scho hes Twelf maill and twell famell 1529 Reg. Privy S. II. 44/2.
The mariage of ony uthir are or airis male or famel 1535 Stewart 45753.
Gude Jeane of Scotland … Departit hes out of this present lyfe, Withoutin cheild other famell or maill 1565 Reg. Privy C. I. 365.
To the perfect aige … , gif thai be male, of xxi yeris, and gif thai be famell, of xiiij yeris 1584 Waus Corr. II. 310.
Giff it happinis the said William to haiff na airis maill, bot famell with the said Jonet 1596 Frasers of Philorth 250.
The bairnis fameill 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 59.
The assise sould stay, … quhen heires male and famell baith persews(b) 1506 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 693.
My airs … mail or famail 1519 Buccleuch Mun. II. 138.
The airis famail of the said Iames 1555 Montgomery Mem. 154.
The foirsaid sowm … salbe refoundit … to the are or aris famale 1571 Grant Chart. 144.
Gif … there salbe na airis nor barnis … except … barnis famaill 1590 Douglas Chart. 297.
Air or airis, maill or famaille

2. absol. or as n. Females; a female. c1420 Wynt. viii. 114 (C).
Thai fande That the famale to ayr thar lande … Sulde succede a1500 Bk. Chess 428.
Vnto the famell he kepis his natur 1535 Stewart 47063.
Of king Williame the successioun did faill, … bayth of famell and maill c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1402.
Of fameill and of maill Off euerilk kynd wer keipit two 1559 Maitland Ho. Seytoun p.xii.
Be maryage of ladyis … or sum uther famell his predecessour 1586 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 467.
The said acres to be tailyeitt to the aires maill, quhilks failyeing to the eldest famele but diuisioun