▪ I. choller dial. and Sc.
Also chiller, chuller, churl (Jam.), choler.
[perh.:—OE. ceolur, ceolres throat, cogn. w. OHG. kelur str. masc.:—OTeut. type keluro-, kelro-, from same root as kelôn-, whence OHG. chela (mod.G. kehle), OE. ceole (see chel). For the form, cf. OE. weolur lip, OS. lepor lip. The variant chiller might go back to the oblique form, genitive *cielr-es (see Sievers Ags. Gr. 75 Anm. 3). But the late appearance of the word is an element of difficulty; and it is not impossible that it may be related to cholle jowl.]
| (Cf. a 1000 Ps. Lamb. cxlix. 6 (Bosw.) On ceolre oððe þrote heora [= in gutture eorum].) |
1. The jaw, esp. the covering of the lower jaw when fleshy and over-hanging; hence, a flabby cheek, double chin, hanging lip of a hound, etc.
| 1785 Jrnl. fr. Lond. 2 (Jam.) The second chiel..wi' a great chuller ouer his cheeks. 1880 Antrim & Down Gloss., Chollers, Chillers, the sides of the neck. 1888 W. Somerset Word-bk. s.v., Ugly-looking woman—her chollers hang down like a bull-dog's. |
2. in pl. The gills of a fish.
| 1888 W. Somerset Word-bk. s.v., You can slip your vingers into the chollers o' un. (Also in Scotch.) |
▪ II. choller, -ic(k
obs. ff. collar, chuller, choler, choleric.