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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Trail(l, v. Also: trayl, trale. [ME and e.m.E. trayl(en (Manning), trail(en (14th c.), trale (1562), ONF trailler to haul, tow (a boat) (14th c. in Godefroy), MLG treilen, EFris. trailen.]

1. tr. To drag or haul (a person or thing), esp. behind one on the ground. Also const. doun, furth, out, throw. Also fig. a1400 Leg. S. xxvi 690.
He hynt the prioure be the hare, … & traylyt hyme ful angrely Our al the floure c1420 Wynt. viii 2115 (C).
At that hee stayr he traylit [R. harlyd] hym doune 1494 Loutfut MS 113a.
The barreris brokin at the north est nwke and he traillit thair be the feit to the gallous 1513 Doug. viii iv 64 (Sm.).
Onto his cave ay bakwartis by the talis To turn thair futsteppis he thaim harlis and tralis 1535 Stewart 61243.
[He] Vpoun ane flaik wes traillit throw the toun 1549 Compl. 70/20.
The eldest of them vas in harnes, traland ane halbert behynd hym, beand al affrayit ande fleyit for dreddour of his lyue 15.. Wyf Awcht. 9 (K).
He traild the foul sheits down the gate 15.. Clar. i 58.
His fute sadly throw the stirrip ȝeid And throw the feild traillit him his steid 1581–2 Chron. Perth 54.
She put M^cWalter up a trap to a loft, and his wife perceiving that, trailled him down the trap c1590 J. Stewart 226 § 107.
Lecherie … Throch euerie dobe hir blaidit rob did traill 1665 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 124.
[The said William] … thrust, trailled and drave his wyfe, childrein and servants … furth of the said house 1685 Wodrow MSS 4^to XXXVII No. 14.
He should traill it out of the grave againefig. 1638 Cant Serm. (1741) 36.
When a man yokes his neck under the world, it trails and turmoils him so, that he cannot take on the yoke of Jesus

2. intr. Of a garment, etc.: To drag on the ground. Also fig. 1460 Hay Alex. 14573.
The mutonys … Thare tail tralis efter thame ane eln or mare c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 14.
Syde taillis, Quhilk throw the dust and dubbis traillis 15.. Clar. v 278.
Rich talbart sleves [that war] long … Upon the eard behind hir trailling syde a1585 Maitl. Q. 111.
Thair gounis ar coistlie and trimlie traillisfig. a1585 Polwart Flyt. 144 (H).
Thy ragmentes … With mingtie, mankit mangleit metter Tratland and traland [T. twmbland] top over taill

3. To walk with trailing garments. 1460 Hay Alex. 18726.
He that was wont to traill in clathis of gold 1513 Doug. v Prol. 11.
Knychtis delytis to assay sterand stedys Wantoun gallandis to trayl [Ruddim. trale] in sumptuus wedis