The Gipsy word for ‘person, man, fellow’: sometimes (with the corresponding feminine chai) used in speaking of gipsies, by way of displaying familiarity with them and their language.
1865. Dubl. Univ. Mag., II. 25. Romany chals with their nomad tents upon wheels.
1871. M. Collins, Mrq. & Merch., I. i. 47. He … delighted the chals with tobacco.
1875. Whyte-Melville, Katerfelto, xii. 134. The Romany chal marries with the Romany chi.
