▪ I. ˈskirling, n. local.
Also scar-, scur-, skerling.
[Of obscure origin.]
A young salmon; a samlet, sparling.
| 1776 Pennant Brit. Zool. (ed. 2) III. 266 [Samlets] are also common in the Wye, where they are known by the name of Skirlings, or Lasprings. 1801 W. Coxe Tour Monmouth. i. 2 The only fish not common in the English rivers, are the skerling and the sewin. 1844 Zoologist II. 527 note, Scarling or scurling,..smolt, &c. all denote the same fish. 1891 Fishing Gaz. 14 Feb. 88/3 The Severn Board of Conservators have successfully prosecuted those found with these skirling in their possession. |
▪ II. ˈskirling, vbl. n.
[f. skirl v.1]
Shrill crying, shrieking, etc.
| 1820 Scott Monast. xxx, She could find voice enough to tell the women and children without, to ‘leave their skirling, and look after the cows’. 1855 [Robinson] Whitby Gloss. s.v. Skerl, The skirling of the sea-gulls is said to be the forerunner of a gale. 1893 Stevenson Catriona v. 53 It heartens me..like the skirling of the Highland pipes. |
▪ III. ˈskirling, ppl. a.
[f. skirl v.1]
Crying or sounding shrilly, screaming, etc.
| 1785 Burns Scotch Drink xii, When skirlin weanies see the light. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xvi, Haud your tongue, ye skirling limmer! 1819 ― Leg. Montrose iii, Their damnable skirlin' pipes. 1894 Field 1 Dec. 828/1 The skirling cry of the snipe. |