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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Rele,) Reil(l, n. Also: riel, reel(l, reele; reall. [ME and e.m.E. real (c 1400), reel (Prompt. Parv.), rele (1530), OE hréol, réol, ‘not represented in the cognate languages … Gael. ruidhil is from English’ (OED). Cf. Rele v.³, also ON hræll weaver's slay.]

1. A spool or bobbin on which thread may be wound; a reel.For further examples, see Chak reill.‘The reel was a kind of skeleton wheel, having some eight spokes, the head of each spoke being fitted with a cross piece, and the whole being made to revolve by hand on a centre spindle. The periphery was made to measure ninety inches. If it was less the reel was short.’ Daniel Thomson The Weaver' s Craft. Being a History of the Weavers' Incorporation of Dunfermline (1903) 101.(a) c1500 Makc. MS xiii 35.
Hoc alabrum, a reill 15.. Lord Fergus' Gaist 37.
The boddome of ane awld herp The heid of ane cuttit reill c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 693 (see Rele v.³).
Reill Ib. 702.
On the thrid reill of life the longitude I saw keruit a1568 Bann. MS 137b/22. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 302/39.
Baythe hen and cok with reill and rok The lairdis Jok all with him takis 1586 St. A. Test. II 68.
Ane stikking flowr of iron iiij d. ane reill thre spinnils 1615 Conv. Burghs III 14.
The gritt hurtt sustenit be tredders with yairne thruch the insufficience of the reill 1616 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 July.
Ane act maid be the burrowis that everie reill quhairupoun linnen yairne is reillit, sall be half ane ell, & half ane quarter length, making the slip of yairne, fyve quarteris length of dowbill yairne, & ten quarter lang singill yairne 1624 Conv. Burghs III 157.
To caus mak ane reill of yrne of the lenth foresaid and to hing the samin vpon ther mercat croce [etc.] 1648 Stirling B. Rec. I 194.
Ordanes the iron reill to be hung to the cros for tryall of wrang reillis in the toun 1667 Irvine Mun. II 95.
That ane uniformitie be keiped of the measure of the eln reil and foot of measure 1668 Rothesay B. Rec. 150.
2 reills(b) 1615 Crail Squaremen 29.
To make … chak riels and hemp whils(c) 1638 Adamson Muses Thr. 101.
The world's … A wheel that turns a reel that always rokes 1661 (1703) Dismal Account of the Burning of our Solemn League and Covenant.
Beneath the Covenant was drawn kirk stools, rocks and reels(d) 1668 Edinb. Test. LXXIII 142.
Reall

b. A reel on to which cord or rope may be wound up in a controlled manner; ? the ‘barrel’ of a clock. 1679 Stirling Common Good 129b.
For makeing ane reell of iron for saveing the tou of the paise of the knock … £1 10 s.

2. A whirling or turning motion; an action that communicates such motion; a roll or stagger. 1572 Sat. P. xxxi 93.
Fortoun, with a reill, Hes wrocht thame ane vnabill charr a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii 29.
Quhen with a quhisk sho quhirlis about hir quheill, Rude is that rattill running with a reill 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 37.
Cou'd Whiggs got sike a spaik in wheel, Their cause had not sae seun tane reel

3. A violent rush forward; a charge.Also fig., = ? rapidity; ? lack of care.Cf. Rele v.¹ 1 b. 1535 Stewart 50987.
With scharp swordis … Tha maid ane reill … And dang thame dounfig. 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 536.
Quhen thay haue run ouir with ane reill Thair sairles sermone, red ȝistrene … thay ar clene

4. A noisy commotion; a disturbance or tumult. 1533 Boece 62.
And to haue the gilde and reill of the pepill mytigate, … depute to him keparis of newe Ib. 443.
Herethrow followit sic rerde and reill amang the Scottis armye Ib. 461b.
Certane men of armys … feneȝeing ane tuleȝe and reill amang thare self a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 444/93.
This reill this raige this crewiell weir Thocht it a quhyll do thé molest 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xli 101.
He said thair suld not mis ane reill That suld the cheifest walkin vp

5. A vigorous group dance, ? involving circling movements by the participants; a reel. b. The music for such a dance.Also attrib. with dance. a1605 Montg. Flyt. 531 (T).
Littill tent to the toune [thair time] leit thame tak, Bot … raveld the reill[is] 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 217.
They … tooke handes on the lande, and daunced this reill or short daunce 1604-31 Craig ii 66.
Twixt Fortune, Loue, and most vnhappie mee, Behold a chase, a fatall threesome reele 1670–80 Dauney Anc. Sc. Melodies 57.
The reill of Aves, The joliest reill that ever wesattrib. 1629 Boyd Last B. xlvi.
Such was the reele dance at that thunder crackb. 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 217.
Geillis Duncane did goe before them playing this reill or daunce uppon … a Jewes trump