Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1891-1967
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TRIVVLE, v. Also triv(a)l, trivel(l), -il, -le, trivvel, -il; tribble (Ork.). tr. and intr. To grope, feel with the fingers, feel one's way in the dark, fumble (Sh. 1814 Abbotsford MS., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1973). Vbl.n. trivvling. [trɪvl; Ork. + trɪbl]Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 59:
Ta da hert 'at reads da lesson, Ye can trivil an ye're blinnd.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (17 Feb.):
Shü . . . trivl'd his airm up efter, wi' her mid finger.Ork. 1929 Old-Lore Misc. IX. ii. 78:
Wi' 'is e'en buckled ap, he waas yocked a had o', an' tribblin deir weys, he waas led back an' fore, an' oot an' in.Sh. 1959 New Shetlander No. 52. 29:
Dey trivelled ower da animal, an sained ower her a while.Sh. 1967 New Shetlander No. 83. 24:
Up güd me sark agenn an da doctor begüde ta trivvel me riggy-benn.
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"Trivvle v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/trivvle>
