Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KRINGLE, v., n. Also in n., cringlo. [kriŋl]

I. v. To snuggle up, to nestle in, as of a child coming into bed beside one of its parents (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1960).Marw.:
Kringle thoo in there aside me!

II. n. 1. A low, round stool, made of thick, coiled straw ropes sewn together, or twisted heather, freq. used for sitting out of doors (Ork. 1898 E.D.D., 1929 Marw.).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 130:
They i' a sinlo lep like feuls, Ca'd ower the cringlos an' the steuls.Ork. 1893 Sc. Antiquary VII. 174:
The youngest lass sat in a stool with her sore foot on a cringlo.

2. A twist, crumple, in phr. kringle-horned, having crumpled horns (Marw.). Cf. krimmled s.v. Crimple, v.² Hence kringly, adj., wrinkled, full of kinks (Ork. 1950).

3. A metal loop in a rope used for carrying straw, hay, etc. (Sh. 1960).

4. A wooden swivel on an animal's tether, consisting of a length of wood pierced by three equidistant holes (Sh. 1960).

5. A small round knoll or hillock (Ork. 1960).

6. Fig. “The ‘stars' or bright spots one sees when one receives a blow in the face, the little quivering or flickering rings one sees before the eyes when just awakened or sick, etc.” (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Hence kringly-headed, giddy, seeing spots before one's eyes, confused, foolish (Ib., Ork.¹ 1950).