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.
Quotation dates: 1899, 1952
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SKAVLE, v. Also skaivel, -le, skaevel, skevl, skavel-, skeavl, skjaevle. See also Skewl. [skevl; Ork. skjevl]
1. To make awry or out of shape, to twist, knock or wear to one side, as of shoes (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1970). Deriv. skavelach, dishevelled, harum-scarum (Cai. 1952).Sh. 1899 Shetland News (19 Aug.):
A bit o' bain 'at I wis pitten apo' da ootside o' da sole o' me left blutcher bekis I wis skjaevlin him.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 206:
Nor yet wis rivlin ever med Yon trip wid no hae skaevelld.
2. To walk with a crooked, twisting gait, to totter, reel in walking (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 156; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Ork. 1970); to walk with a silly, affected air (Gregor). Ppl.adj., vbl.n. skaivlan, -in. Deriv. skaively, esp. of the feet: awry, squint, ungainly (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[Freq. verbal form from Skave, adj.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Skavle v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/skavle>
