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.
Quotation dates: 1887-1928
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EDDLE, v., n. Also ettle. [ɛdl, ɛtl]
1. v. To work for, earn. Vbl.n. in pl. eddlins, ettlins, earnings, wages.Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
Ye'll just get what ye eddle for, or what you ettle.Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
Wait a wee, your eddlins 'll ourtak ye. Ye'll get your ettlins for that yet.
2. n. Chiefly in pl. on analogy with -wages, earnings, etc. = recompense, fruits of one's labours (Ib.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. Add. 304, eddles). Also in deriv. ettlement, one's fair share (Bwk.3 1950).Edb. 1928 A. D. Mackie Poems 42:
Or a' His ettlements that lie In flesh and harns o' sheep and kye.
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"Eddle v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/eddle>
