ˈrosilly, a. dial.
Forms: 6 rosellie, 8 rosselly; 7– rosilly.
[f. rosil n. + -y.]
Of soil: (see quots. 1691 and a 1825). Cf. rosiny a. 2.
| 1577 Harrison Descr. Brit. i. xiii. in Holinshed I. 38 The red or white sandy [mould], the lomye, roselly, grauelly, chalky or blacke. 1691 Ray S. & E.C. Words, Rosil or Rosilly soil; Land between Sand and Clay, neither light nor heavy. 1721 Mortimer Husb. (ed. 2) ii. 42 That which I have observed to be the best is a rosselly top, and a brick earthy bottom. In general, a true Rossel or light Land, whether white or black, is what they are usually planted in. a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Rosilly, like rosin. It is applied to a soil both sandy and clayey. |