Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1920
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‡FRAIL, n.1, v.
I. n. A container consisting of a circular wooden frame with a sheepskin bottom, used for winnowing corn, a Wecht (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m.Lth., Dmf., Rxb. 1953).Rxb. 1920 Kelso Chron. (17 Dec.):
The implement for this [dighting] being a sieve composed of a wooden frame and a sheepskin bottom which was called a "frail."
II. v. To winnow corn with a frail (Dmf. 1895–1953).
[O.Sc. frael, a rush basket, a.1450, Mid.Eng., O.Fr. frayel, a basket for figs.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Frail n.1, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/frail_n1_v>
