Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ABOIL, adv. At or to boiling-heat. E.D.D. gives it for Sc. and Yks. [ə′bəil Sc., ə′bəɪl s.Sc.]Sc. 1810 G. Robertson Gen. View of Agric. of Kcd. (1813) 432:
This . . . by the time it comes a-boil, is transformed into a coagulation or jelly.Sc. 1858 Hugh Miller Schools and Schoolm. (1891) vi. 127:
Scenes of cruelty and spoliation of which the recollection . . . had still power enough to set his Scotch blood aboil.Bnff.² 1928.Ags. 1891 J. M. Barrie Little Minister II. xxxviii. 164:
You needna fear burning wi' a' that water on you. You're in mair danger o' coming a-boil.wm.Sc. 1835 J. D. Carrick The Laird of Logan I. 85:
The materials had not got fairly a-boil.