speel
Americanverb (used with or without object)
noun
Usage
What does speel mean? To speel is to climb or scale something, such as a wall or a hill. Speel is a Scots term for climb that is primarily used in Scots, as well as in Scottish-English and Northern UK English dialects. It is normally used to describe climbing a short distance. Speel can also mean to mount, as in to climb onto something, usually a horse. This speel can also be spelled speil. In Manchester, England, a speel is also a splinter of wood, such as one that is lodged in the skin. Example: Let’s see how fast you can speel that hillside!
Etymology
Origin of speel
First recorded in 1505–15; origin uncertain
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“She took the time to give a little speel about everything and personally thanked me, which blew me away. I said, ‘My daughters are super huge supporters of you.
From Fox News ● Nov. 9, 2020
GMT15:08 22 min: A promising speel for United, this.
From The Guardian ● Nov. 25, 2015
"Tae mony kooks weel speel tha porridge an' splinterr tha spertle," sang Angus Daftie MacTourist.
From Time Magazine Archive
I wad gang mysell, my leddy, for I could creep out at the window o' the pantry, and speel down by the auld yew-tree weel eneugh—I hae played that trick ere now.
From Old Mortality, Volume 1. by Scott, Walter, Sir
My honor'd Colonel, deep I feel Your interest in the Poet's weal; Ah! now sma' heart hae I to speel The steep Parnassus, Surrounded thus by bolus pill, And potion glasses.
From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Burns, Robert
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
