Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Spele, v. Also: speil(l, speele. [Back-formation f. Spelar n.]

1. intr. To perform as a dancer or acrobat. 1503 Treas. Acc. II 377.
Payit to Robert Colvile that he gaif to the spelar be the kingis command that day he spelit

2. a. To climb or ascend to a height; to climb or clamber our (something), aboue, to (a particular point). Also fig.(1) 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 154.
This bird … began to speill … And in that tree scho did so heych ascende, That [etc.] ?c1660 Sel. Biog. I 281.
Is it not a wonder that our words in prayer … should speill so well, and climb so well or high, as to goe into heaven to bring us back ane answer?fig. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii 31.
Quhen with a quhisk sho [sc. Fortune] quhirlis about hir quheill … Then spurgald sporters they begin to speill [at court](2) 1513 Doug. ii viii 11.
Vp to the syd wallys mony leddyr sett is Quharon thai preys fast our the rufe to speill 1513 Doug. iv vii 86.
Sum on thar nek the gret cornys vpwrelis And our the furris bissely tharwith spelys 1513 Doug. vi viii 80.
The lattir nycht … Quhen that the fatale hors … Com speland owr the hie wallys of Troy(3) 1533 Boece 147.
Romanis … speling to the toppis of the heich montanis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7392.
The skipper speillit belyue to the top mast To spy the wedder(4) fig. 1604-31 Craig ii 66.
I follow her [sc. Fortune], but while I prease to speele My bounds aboue, I faile, and so I fall

b. To climb up (ap)on (something). 1513 Doug. vii viii 83.
This cruell goddess … spelis vp … Apon a heich stabill quhar that bestis stude 1513 Doug. ix ii 10.
Tak ȝour wapynnys all … speil vp on the wall, Our ennemys cummys at hand

c. tr. To climb or clamber up (a rock, etc.). 1571 Sempill in Sat. P. xxviii 160.
The Lord … Inspyrit thair spreitis, & gart thame speil that heuch