Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPULE, n.¹ Also spül (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), spøl (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), spuil; †speel (Per. 1816 J. Duff Poems 125). Sc. forms and usage of Eng. spool, a wooden pin on which yarn is wound (Ags. a.1856 in Vagabond Songs (Ford 1904) 163, 1892 Brechin Advertiser (2 Aug.) 3); also applied to the shuttle in which the spool is placed (Sc. 1808 Jam., Sh., Ags. 1971). Dim. spoolie (Abd. 1888 Bon-Accord (3 March) 20). Comb. spule-fittit, splay-footed (Sc. 1825 Jam.). [spøl; †Per. spil. See P.L.D. § 35.]