Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPIRLIE, adj., n. Also spirl(e)y; sperlie, spurl(e)y. [′spɪrle]

I. adj. Slender, slim, thin, spindly (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 190, 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Lth., s.Sc. 1971).Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 32:
Round him flock, in troops, the spirley race.Lnk. 1858 G. Roy Generalship 56:
The legs o' our great Kings and emperors would be very spirly affairs, for as handsome as they look in their great robes.Slk. 1892 W. M. Adamson Betty Blether 79:
The magnificient troops o' forest bred lions were twa in number, spurley lookin' things.Sc. 1897 L. Keith Bonnie Lady viii.:
A spirlie thread of smoke was rising from the big kitchen chimney.

Combs. (1) spirlie-leggit, having thin legs (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.); (2) spurly-shanks, thin legs (Per. 1903 H. MacGregor Souter's Lamp 115; Uls. 1931 Northern Whig (7 Dec.)).

II. n. 1. A slender person (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Fif., Lth., s.Sc. 1971).Sc. 1928 J. Bridie Sunlight Sonata (1932) 104:
[Avaricia advances.] Your name, then, you nippit wee spirlie.

2. A thin column of smoke.Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters xxvii.:
From the chimneys the fair white spirlies of reek were rising in the pure air.

3. A small spiral shell (Ags. 1921 T.S.D.C., sperlie).