ˈsheld-apple, ˈshell-apple dial.
Also sheldafle, shillaple, etc.
[Usually taken to be f. sheld a. + dapple a., but perhaps a metathetic form of *sheldalp, f. sheld a. + alp2 (dial. alf), bullfinch.]
Applied to two birds remarkable for their variegated plumage.
1. The chaffinch, Fringilla cœlebs.
| 1544 W. Turner Avium Præcip. D 6, De Fringilla,.. Anglicè a chaffinche, a sheld appel, a spink. 1611 Cotgr., Berée, a spinke, sheldaple, chaffinch. 1802 R. Anderson Cumbld. Ball. (1805) 21, I mind, when he cross'd the deep watter, To get me the shilapple' est. 1813 Montagu Ornith. Dict. Suppl., Shelly or Shell-apple. 1880 C. H. Poole Gloss. Staff., Shell or Sheld-apple, the chaffinch. |
2. The crossbill, Loxia curvirostra.
| 1666 Merrett Pinax 172 Loxias, the Shell-Apple. 1668 Charleton Onomast. 69 Loxia..the Cross-beak, or Shell⁓aple. 1674 Ray Engl. Birds 88. 1768 Pennant Brit. Zool. II. 279. 1802 Montagu Ornith. Dict., Shell, or Sheld-apple. Vide Crossbill. |