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: 1741, 1800-1823, 1930
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‡PENDLE, n. Also pendel.
1. A pendant, hanging ornament (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. Pendes).
2. Specif. a pendant or drop earring (Slk. 1825 Jam., “used ludicrously”).Sc. c.1800 The Nightingale 2:
She's got pendels to her lugs, Cockle-shells wad set her better.Sc. 1823 C. K. Sharpe Ballad Bk. (1880) 97:
This lady gade up the Parliament stair, Wi' pendles in her lugs sae bonnie.
3. The pendulum of a clock (Ork., Mry. 1965). Obs. or dial. in Eng. Comb. †pendle shank, the pendulum rod.Gsw. 1741 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1911) 99:
£4 7s. 7d. sterling for iron cranks, bell-heads, axell, chain clasps, sucker shank, screw steeples and nails to the pendelshank.Abd.15 1930:
Fa stoppit the pendle o' the wag-at-the-wa' knock?
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"Pendle n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pendle>
