Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1807-1852, 1937
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HISSEL, n., adj. Also hissil, hizzel, -le, hizell. See also Hazel. [′hɪsl, ′hɪzl]
I. n. A hazel stick used as a cudgel; a hazel nut (Cai.9 1939); a stout stick of any wood (Cai. 1957).Bwk. 1807 A. Hewit Poems 59:
She raxt a hissel aff the bed, An' bang'd him tightly.Abd. 1831 Aberdeen Mag. 513:
The rush and sally of the impatient class, eager to revel in the delights of tubs, rungs, etnachs, hizzles, cranberries, horse tails, and broad bonnets.Mry. 1852 A. Christie Mountain Strains 99:
Saugh an' hizzle, keep your grip, Till she arrive in Elflan.
II. adj. Made of hazel wood; of hazel colouring.Edb. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 74:
I'd ha'e ye baith to ha'd ye'r tongue, Or gar ye do't, wi' hizell rung Upo' your back.s.Sc. 1837 Wilson's Tales of the Borders IV. 36:
The maidens . . . flew for flail, and rung, and "hissil ryss."ne.Sc. 1937 Oor Mither Tongue (MacWhannell) 272:
O, lassie wi' the hizzel een That glint sae saucy an' sae cheerie.
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"Hissel n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hissel_n_adj>
