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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FELL, v.², n.⁵

I. v. To befall, be the lot of, esp. in impers. construction weel fells . . ., lucky is. . . . Cf. Fa, v.¹, n.¹Fif. 1766 Session Papers, Hunter v. Robb (27 Sept.) 36:
Well fell me now that Sir Hary Erskine died; for I would neither have gotten iron nor coals.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 28:
Well fells the lad, that's farthest i' your books.Ib. (1778) 71:
I think I never saw a better sport. But dool fell'd Tam, for sadly he paid for't.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 164:
Weel fells ye, honest carle.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 199:
Well fells me now, my ain gude lord; These words do cherish me.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb ii.:
Aye, aye, the fader o' 'im was a lang-heidit schaimin' carle, an' weel fells the sin for that.

II. n. Lot, fate, destiny (Abd.. Kcd., Ags. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 43:
He kens the word, and says, alake my fell!Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 115:
Ah! wae's my fell! My manhood, now, gaed clean awa.