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: 1872-1915
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TSILL, n. Also tsull; st'cill (Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 196), zill (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 232). Dims. tsillie, zillie. An affectionate term for a young child.Abd. 1880 G. Webster Crim. Officer 25:
Their ain bairn, a 'tsillie o' three or four weeks aul'.Bnff. 1872 W. Philip It 'ill a' Come Richt 56:
Tak' up the littlin, Betty, peer 'tsull.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 31:
It disna dee for a steill [sic] tae come tae th' warl' an' teem kists itha hoose.
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"Tsill n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tsill>
