speel

American  

[speel] / spil /

Or speil

verb (used with or without object)

Scot. and North England.

1. to climb; ascend; mount.

---

speel British  

/ spiːl /

noun

1. dialect a splinter of wood

---

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

See Examples For:

speel

“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

My senses wad be in a creel, Should I but dare a hope to speel, Wi’ Allan, or wi’ Gilbertfield, The braes o’ fame; Or Fergusson, the writer chiel, A deathless name.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

"My senses wad be in a creel, Should I but dare a hope to speel Wi' Allan, or wi' Gilbertfield, The braes o' fame; Or Ferguson, the writer chiel, A deathless name."

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander