† ˈshorling Obs.
Forms: 5–6 shorlyng, Sc. schorling, 6–7 Sc. schoirling, scorling, 6 shorelinge, -lynge, 9 shortling, 6–9 shorling.
[f. shor-, shorn ppl. a. + -ling.]
1. The skin of a sheep that has been recently shorn; the wool taken from such a skin.
| 1429 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 352/1 Wolle icalled Lambeswolle, shorlyng and scaldyng. 1435 Exch. Rolls Scot. IV. 604 De custuma 1155 pellium qui dicuntur schorlingis. 1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 27 §1 Ther wolles and wolle felles and felles called Shorlyng and Morlyng. 1603 Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 515/1 All custumes paying of salt and schoirlingis, skaddyngis [etc.]. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c. 32 §1 Any Woollfells Mortlings or Shorlings. 1688, 1833 [see morling]. |
b. (See quot.) rare—0.
| 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. s.v., In some parts of England, they understand by a shorling, a sheep whose fleece is shorn off. |
2. A tonsured person, a shaveling. Also attrib.
| 1538 Bale Thre Lawes v. F iv b, And now I perseuer, amonge y⊇ ranke rable of papystes Teachyng ther shorlynges, to playe the Antichrystes. c 1550 Coverdale Exhort. Cross vi. 82 That is the prerogatyue of the pryestes and shauen shorelynges. 1560 Becon Catech. v. Wks. I. 454 b, Swarmes of smeared, spyrituall shorlyng Sorcerers. |