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
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
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
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.
