Obs. Chiefly Sc. Also kevell. [Of uncertain derivation: Jamieson suggests that it is the ON. kefli (the same word as in prec.) used first in the literal sense of ‘stick, piece of wood,’ and then applied contemptuously to a man, ‘as the vulgar call a raw-boned fellow a lang rung, a stiff old man an auld stock.’]
1. Perhaps, a stick or stout staff.
(But it may be in sense 2.)
a. 1550. Christis Kirke Gr., vii. The kensy cleikit to the cavell, But, lord, than how thay luggit.
2. ‘A low fellow’ (Jamieson).
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (1840), 152. A kevell, corpulent of stature.
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 2217. Ye, wilte thou, hangman? I say, thou cavell.
1535. Lyndesay, Satyre, 2863. Ane cavell quhilk was never at the scule.
1706–11. in Watson’s Coll. Sc. Poems, iii. 50 (Jam.). The Bride about the Ring she skipped, Till out starts Carle and Cavel.
