Sc. Forms: see YULE sb. and EVEN sb. [Cf. ON. jólaaptann.] Christmas Eve.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IX. 204. Befor ȝoill-evyn ane nycht bot mair.
1473–4. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 67. Gevin to Rob Purvas,… on Ȝule evin,… xxiiij s.
1567. Gude & Godlie B. (S. T. S.), 72. Ane Carrell of the Epistill on Ȝule Euin.
1570–1. Rec. Inverness (New Spalding Club), I. 198. Vpon the xxiiij day of December last being Yule Ewin.
a. 1653. Binning, Serm., Isa. lxiv. 6, Wks. (1735), 618/1. Sin rising up to Iniquities … hath accomplished the Judgment, put Fire among us, made us as the Birk in Yule-even.
a. 1670. Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (Bannatyne Club), I. 85. The marquess of Hamilton … upon Yeull evin, takes journey towards London.
1808. Jamieson, s.v. Some farmers … are so extremely superstitious, as to go into their stables and cow-houses on Yule-e’en, and read a chapter of the Bible behind their horses and cattle, to preserve them from harm.
