▪ I. † spelder, n. Obs.—1
[= MLG. spelder, MHG. spelter: cf. speld n. It is doubtful whether OE. speldra pl. belongs here or to speld.]
A splinter, shiver, or chip.
| 1530 Palsgr. 274/1 Spelder of woode, esclat. |
▪ II. spelder, v.1 north. dial.
(ˈspɛldə(r))
[ad. OF. *espeldre (espeaudre, espialre; later espeller, espeler, mod.F. épeler), f. the Germanic stem spell-: see spell v.1]
trans. and intr. To spell, as words.
| c 1200 Ormin 16347 Adamess name Adam iss all Wiþþ fowwre stafess spelldredd. Ibid. 16440 And ȝiff þatt tu cannst spelldrenn hemm, Adam þu findesst spelldredd. 1483 Cath. Angl. 353/2 To Speldyr, sillabicare. 1691 Ray N.C. Words (ed.2) 68 To Spelder, to Spell. a 1743 Relph Misc. Poems (1747) 15 Right oft at schuil I've spelder'd owr thy rows. 1788– in dial. glossaries (Yks., Lanc., N.Cy., Cumbld.). |
Hence ˈspelderer; ˈspeldering vbl. n.
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 353/2 A Spelderer, sillabicator. 1876 Robinson Whitby Gloss. 181/1 He's ept at his speldering. |
▪ III. spelder, v.2 Sc.
[Cf. speld v. and dial. spalder (s.v. spald v.).]
1. intr. To spread or extend oneself, by throwing or stretching out the legs (and arms). Also in pa. pple., stretched out in this manner.
| 1720 Pennecuik Screams fr. Helicon 67 The Doxies turn up their Keels and spelder. 1756 M. Calderwood in Coltness Collect. (Maitl. Club) 129 Bowles, who had come from the other cabin,..was speldring with legs and arms to keep his ballance. 1820 Hogg Bridal of Polmood vii, Kimmers, that war lying doveryng..and spelderyng. 1863 W. Miller Willie Winkie, etc. (1902) 1 The dog's spelder'd on the floor. |
2. trans. To split and spread open (a fish, etc.). Hence ˈspeldered ppl. a.
| 1710 Ruddiman Gloss. Douglas' æneis s.v. Speldit, We say also spelder..in the same sense. 1808 Jamieson, To Spelder, to split, to spread open; as, to spelder a fish, to open it up for being dried. 1828 Moir Mansie Wauch vii. 61 Splitting the hills as ye would spelder a haddy. 1896 P. A. Graham Red Scaur xvii. 260 Never talk o' fightin', you speldered herring! |