Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1715, 1835-1880
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PELL, v.2, n.2, adv.
I. v. 1. To beat or strike violently, to thump, belabour (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 229). Obs. in Eng. by mid. 17th c.Sc. 1715 Hogg Jacobite Relics (1821) II. 6:
To pell, and mell, and kill, and fell.
2. To walk in a heavy, blundering way, to hurry, dash (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 229). Also in Eng. dial.
II. n. A heavy blow, a buffet; a crashing fall (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 123).Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 43:
While he rattles and ringes, Doors dance on their hinges, . . . I hae witness'd mysel His unmercifu' pell.w.Sc. 1880 Jam.:
Ga'in hame he got twa or three gae pells on his head.
III. adv. Violently, with great force, with a crash (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 123).Bnff. 1880 Jam.:
He fell pell down on the pavement.
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"Pell v.2, n.2, adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pell_v2_n2_adv>
