Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡TAISTREL, n. Also -rell, -rill; ‡teistrell, ‡tystrell, -rill. [′testrəl]
1. A gawky, slovenly or unmethodical person, “often applied to a girl who tears her clothes from carelessness” (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1967).Gall. 1882 J. Douglas Bk. Gall. 70:
Gillies, halfins, taistrills, taupies.
2. A mischievous boy, a rascal, scoundrel (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1972). Also in n.Eng. dial.
[Orig. obscure. Cf. hastrel s.v. Haister, n.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Taistrel n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/taistrel>
