A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420, 1513-1535
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Point-, Poyntal, -ell, n. [ME (Cursor M.) and e.m.E. pointel, poyntel(l, also pontel (14th c.), OF pointel point of spear. Cf. Punctell n.] a. ? The point of a weapon; ? a pointed weapon, a sword or dagger. b. A plectrum. c. Only in Nisbet, after Purvey: A stylus. — c1420 Wynt. iv 2314 (L).
[Thai stekyt hym richt fellonly] With sharp pointalis [R. pownsownys] 1513 Doug. vi x 46.
Orpheus … Now with gymp fyngris doyng stryngis smyte, And now with subtel evyr [= ivory] poyntalis lyte 1513 Ib. vii xi 59.
With round stok swerdis faucht thai in melle With poyntalis [L. mucrone] or with stokis Sabellyne c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke i 63.
He askit a poyntell, and wrate
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"Poyntal n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/poyntal>
