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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

EQUAL-AQUAL, adj., adv., v. Also eiqual-awqual (Cai.⁷ 1943). [′ikwəl ′ɑkwəl]

1. adj. Equally balanced. alike, similar, quits (Lth., Dmf. 1825 Jam.²; Cai., Ags., Fif., m.Lth., Bwk. 1950).Fif. 1875 A. Burgess Poute 90:
So I doot we'll just ha'e to be eeksy-peeksy and be equal-aqual.Per. 1881 R. Ford Hum. Sc. Readings 53:
You've daunted me, I've daunted you; Guid day! We're equal-aqual noo.

Hence used as n., equal sharing.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shepherd's Cal. I. 233:
Gude day to you the day; and think about the plan o' equal-aqual that I spake o'.

2. adv. In equal shares, equally, alike. Also forms equals-aquals (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.²); equal-aquals (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m.Lth.¹ 1950). Also in Nhb. and n.Yks. dial.Sc. 1821 Scott Pirate xvii.:
A' men share and share equals-aquals in the creature's ulzie.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. viii.:
Bena curcuddoch wi' ony wumman, bot betooch a' guid weemen equal-aqual tae God.

†3. v. To balance accounts, to “square” things, to make one equal to another (Lth. 1825 Jam.²).Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midtothian viii.:
If I pay debt to other folk, I think they suld pay it to me — that equals aquals.