speel

American  

[speel] / spil /

Or speil

verb (used with or without object)

Scot. and North England.

1. to climb; ascend; mount.

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speel British  

/ spiːl /

noun

1. dialect a splinter of wood

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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

“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

There's a nail upon the tae, &c To make the powny speel the brae; There's a nail and there's a brod —a horse weel shod.

From The Sleeping Beauty Picture Book by Crane, Walter

It would be as much as a squirrel could do to speel up that tall trunk.

From The Castaways by Pearse, Lolbran