▪ I. ˈsprattle, n. Sc.
[f. sprattle v.2]
A struggle or scramble.
| 1824 Scott Redgauntlet ch. xii, We will suppose that any friend like yourself were in the deepest hole in the Nith, and making a sprattle for your life. |
▪ II. † ˈsprattle, v.1 Obs. rare.
[? Metathetic form of spartle v.1]
intr. and trans. To scatter, disperse.
| 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 137 Kynge Richarde out of Irlande into Walis arryuet, ther anoone spratlit al his ryche retenue. Ibid. 233 Eyen that bene whit y-freklet, or I-sprotid,..or reede y-spratelid throgh the eyen, bene moste to blame amonge al otheris. |
▪ III. ˈsprattle, v.2 Sc. rare.
[Cf. Sw. sprattla in the same sense.]
intr. To scramble, to struggle.
| 1786 Burns To a Louse iii, There ye may creep, and sprawl, and sprattle. ― A Winter Night iii, Silly sheep, wha..thro' the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle. |