▪ I. ˈspartle, n. Now dial.
Also 7 spartel.
[Alteration of spattle n.2 Cf. spurtle n.]
A spatula.
| 1682 G. Rose Sch. Instruct. Officers Mouth 130 You may instead of a Scummer put in a Spartle. Ibid. 159 Keep them always stirring..with a Spoon or Spartel. 1894 Heslop Northumbld. Gloss. 675 Spartle, a wooden spatula..used by thatchers for raising up old thatch in order to insert fresh wisps in repairing the roof. |
▪ II. † spartle, v.1 Obs.
Also spartel-.
[Alteration of sparple v. Cf. sparkle v.2]
trans. To scatter, disperse. Hence † ˈspartling vbl. n.
| c 1475 Promp. Parv. (K.) 467/2 Spartelyn, spergo, dispergo. Ibid., Spartelynge, sundrynge, dissipacio. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 15/2 By cause that..many skulles of heedes were there sparteled all openly they said that it was the place of calvarye. |
▪ III. ˈspartle, v.2 Sc.
[ad. (M)Du. or (M)LG. spartelen (also spertelen) in the same sense.]
intr. To move the body or limbs in a sprawling or struggling manner.
| 1710 Ruddiman Gloss. Douglas' æneis, Sprinkilland, gliding swiftly, with a tremulous motion..of their tails; Scot. Bor. call it Spartling. 1789 Davidson Seasons 12 Powheads spartle in the oosy flosh. 1828 Buchan's Ball. II. 233 Her bonny bairn Lay spartling by her side. a 1878 Ainslie Land of Burns (1892) 283 Our Steenie chiel began to squeal An' spartle 'mang the claes. |