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. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Swoul, Soul(l, Sweill, n. Also: swol(l, soule, sowl(l, suell, sweel, suill. [ME and e.m.E. swyvel (1307-8), suawel (1353), swefel (1411), swevill (1424-5), swyvle (1575), sweell (1688), f. as Swyfe v.] A swivel.Also in the later dial.(a) c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 202.
Thocht ȝe be cuplit all to gidder With silk, and swoulis of syluer fyne, Ane dog may [etc.](b) 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 64.
Tedderis … With silkin schakillis and sowlis [M. swollis] of quhyte saip 1591 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 461a.
For girthing thir twa buckettis [for the well] with irne … twa bowllis twa soullis to the samin & naillis to put thame on with iij lib. x s. 1603 Argyll Acc. 5 June.
For ane corde and ane soule to the gynnet 1617 Montgomery Mem. 276.
For thrie pair of brankis to my lordis hors, and for four soullis to thame 1618 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 126.
For ii pair soulles to the cart horssis 1625 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 182.
For ane mouth girthe to ane of the great buckettis with ane soull and balk thairto 1628–9 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 228.
For ane balk and soull for ane grit bukit of the well … iii lib. 1633 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 379.
Sowlles(c) 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI 504.
[Adame Gordoun … cut the tether … and reft the] said horsis brankis, [rynner and sweill] thairof 1656–7 Dumbarton Common Gd. Acc. 214.
Staples and sweills for drawing of timber from Merckins Wood 1658 Boyd Fam. P. No. 236 (27 Feb.).
Foure yron girthes five yron sydropis a timber sweill 1670 Corshill Baron Ct. 93.
Awaytaking of two haire tedders frae his horse, with ane sheep sweill and ane horse sweel 1680 Fawside Coal Compt 60.
For 5 pair of suells to the horse [10 s.] for six tethirs to the horse [6 s.](d) 1691 Foulis Acc. Bk. 136.
To William Thomson smith … for 4 pair suills for teathers