Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1822-1824, 1877-1933
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BED(D)RAL(L), Beddrel, bedril(l), Betherel, Betheral, n. A bedridden, maimed or crippled person. [′bɛdrɑl, ′bɛdrəl, ′bɛdrɪl Sc.; ′beðərəl, ′bɛdrɪl Ant., Dwn.]Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Sh. Fireside Tales (1892) vi.:
I'm ta be petied, left here . . . a puir beddral.Bnff.2 1933:
The form with which I am most familiar is "Beddral."Abd. 1909 J. T. Jeannie Jaffray 177:
"Remember in prayer Jean Hunter, bedril," — though she had been remembered for twenty years, Jean had never risen.Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-Boat x.:
Shivering with the dread of having got my death of cold, or of being laid up as a betheral for life, with the rheumatics.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 58:
Bedrall. A person so lame or disordered that he is obliged to remain constantly a-bed.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
Bedrill, a bed-ridden person; same as Betherel.Uls. 1898 A. McIlroy Auld Meetin'-Hoose Green vi.:
Drivin' a puir lass tae her grave, — an' her wi' a pair o' beddrels dependin' on 'ir.
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"Bedral n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/beddrall>
