ˈrannel-tree Sc. and north. dial.
Also 9 rannell-, randle-, rangel-, 8–9 Sc. rantle-tree.
[App. of Scand. origin; cf. the synonymous Norw. dial. randa-tre and rand-aas, f. rand the space above the fire-place. But the appearance of l in all the English forms is difficult to account for.]
A horizontal bar of wood or iron fixed across a chimney, on which the pot-hooks or rackans are hung.
Rannel-perch is also common in north. dial.; see also rannel-balk.
| 1755 R. Forbes Jrnl. fr. Lond. 4 The lum o' a house that wanted baith crook an' rantle-tree. 1785 Hutton Bran New Wark (E.D.S.) 380 A seaty rattencreak hang dangling fra a black randle tree. 1790 Grose Prov. Gloss., Rannel-tree. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xviii, An unguent to clear our auld rannell-trees. 1829– in northern glossaries. 1887 Hall Caine Deemster xix. 113 Over the rannel-tree shelf a huge watch was ticking. |
| transf. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxvi, If ever I see that auld randle-tree of a wife again. |