spelder

plural spelders

1. alternativeAlternative form of speld (“chip, splinter”).

present singular third person spelders · participle present speldering · participle past speldered · past speldered

1. ScotlandTo split apart.

   You have drunk more than the share of two men of your size.' 'Hear her, Callach !' he said, laughing, and he reached out and pulled me down between his speldered thighs.

   1982, Giles Gordon, William Shakespeare, Shakespeare stories, page 40

   2 more examples

   By St. Andrew ! were he within reach of my hand I could spelder him by one stroke of my axe, yea, spelder him as I would a haddock ! " he added, as another volley of shot and arrows whizzed and rattled on the rocks around them.

   1860, James Grant, Mary of Lorraine, page 407

   Outside the kitchen window was a small patch of green, monopolised by various boards laid on rough trestles, which held rows and rows of saith, ling, and cod, all 'speldered' and drying in the sun.

   1930, William Chambers, Robert Chambers, Chambers's Journal, page 637

2. ScotlandTo spread out; to sprawl.

   So there was he hingin' by a line an' speldering on the craig face, whaur its hieest and steighest.

   1893, Robert Louis Stevenson, The Tale of Tod Lapraik

   1 more example

   The visitor, returning late across the eerie moor, sees a glow in the peat fire, reflected in the eyes of dogs speldered on the floor, and hears the purring of cats in cosy corners.

   1934, William Power, My Scotland, page 178

3. YorkshiredialectalTo spell.

   Gul. How do you spell it ? Mar. Nay, makins, I knaw nought o speldering — I'se nea scollard.

   1792, A Collection of the Most Esteemed Farces and Entertainments

   1 more example

   I paid three wheyte shillins this varra last week, For paper-patch'd leets, that my scholars meeght see To spelder their words, and ply A B C.

   1840, Robert Anderson, Anderson's Cumberland ballads