Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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.

DEVALL, n. Also devaal, devaill, divalve.

1. A slope; “a falling away from the level, as in the landscape” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., devaal); the amount of downward slope required by a ditch, drain or aqueduct (Sh.¹¹ 1949; Abd.¹⁹ 1940; Lnk. 1825 Jam.², devaill).Sc. 1759 J. Justice Brit. Gardener's Cal. 52:
I would advise . . . that the timber frame be made so high at the back part, and so low in the front, that the steam of the bed, by this divalve, may be run easily down to the front part of the glass.

†2. “A sunk fence, a ha ha” (Cld. 1808 Jam., devall).

¶3. Appar. a wave (in the hair).Kcb. 1897 S. R. Crockett Lochinvar xxxiii.:
Ye couldna bide hair that wadna keep smooth, but was aye a' kinked and thrawn into devalls and curliewigs.