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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

QUARREL, v.² Also quarr(el)l, quarall.

Sc. usages:

1. To dispute a fact or claim, to challenge the truth or validity of, call in question, complain about, take objection to. Ppl.adj. quarrelled, disputed.Wgt. 1703 Kirkinner Session Rec. MS. (7 July):
Robert Martin late in Dalragle haveing now no certain residence in this paroch the Session judges they cannot quarrel his absence.Sc. 1719 G. W. T. Omond Arniston Memoirs (1887) 62:
It is impossible that it can be quarrelled if this passes.Sc. 1745 Morison Decisions 1723:
The possessor's right extended during the time that his possession was not quarrelled.Ayr. 1786 Burns Extemp. to G. Hamilton v.:
Some quarrel the Presbyter gown, Some quarrel Episcopal graithing.Fif. 1806 A. Douglas Poems 101:
(Said the laird) “You manna quarrel, Now to let a wand'rer in.”Sc. 1887 Jam., Add.:
He quarrelled every plan I proposed. He quarrelled my claim in the Court of Session.

2. To find fault with (a person), to reprove, rebuke (Sc. 1779 J. Beattie Scoticisms 15, 1825 Jam.). Gen.Sc., obsol. Derivs.: quarrelour, one who reproves or rebukes, a fault-finder, quarrelsome, adj., fault-finding, complaining, querulous.Rxb. 1700 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. (1909) 27:
William Gladstanes came and quarrelled him for the badness of the shoes.Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. iv. ii.:
Ne'er quarrel Fate, whilst it with me remains, To raise thee up, or still attend these Plains.Mry. 1736 E. D. Dunbar Social Life (1856) 95:
I quarrelled him for taking so much multure.Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XVII. 32:
Mr Howison . . . quarrelled his men for going farther than the Burn of the Ord.Edb. 1813 “Edinias” Ramble to Roslin 43:
Bet recognis'd then her dignified quarr'lour.Slk. 1828 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1874) viii.:
They might kill a good many without being quarrelled for it.Sc. 1887 Jam.:
He's a quarrelsome body; he's never satisfied.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (23 July):
Hir faidir . . . quarrlin' her laad for comin' frae hame til her apo' da Satterday nights.Kcb. 1899 Crockett Kit Kennedy xv.:
Mony were the folk that quarrelled me for being at siccan an expense.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 152:
The teachers got out of the cart and quarrelled them.Edb. 1938 Fred Urquhart Time Will Knit (1988) 55:
But you were that thankful that they were all safe that you never quarrelled Tom.Fif. 1952 B. Holman Diamond Panes xiii.:
There the boys and girls used to play at all sorts of games, to be always quarrelled by Fred.

†3. To challenge (a person), to provoke.Ags. 1714 R. Finlayson Arbroath Documents (1923) 21:
The said Pat Spink quarrelled the said William Wallace to fight him.Sc. 1716 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) II. 142:
After drinking a little with him, began to quarrel him to give an account of himself.