adj. (common).—Drunk, CUT (q.v.): see SCREWED. Hence WHITTLE, verb = to make tipsy, and as subs. = a merry-making, drinking-bout, etc.

1

  1586.  WITHALS, Dictionary, 560. In vino veritas. When men are well WHITLED, their toungs run at randome.

2

  1594.  J. LYLY, Mother Bombie, iii. 3. The best was, our masters were as well WHITLED as wee, for they yet lie by it.

3

  1603.  HARSNETT, Declaration of Egregious Popish Impostures, x. 3. A Christmas temptation after the deuil was wel WHITLED.

4

  1605.  VERSTEGAN, A Restitution of Decayed Intelligence (1628), 130. After the Britans were wel WHITLED with wine, he fell to taunting and girding at them.

5

  1609.  HOLLAND, Ammianus Marcellinus, 32. Within the province of Africanus, ruling over Pannonia Secunda, some boone companions in Sirmium having taken their cups very liberally untill they were well WHITLED, supposing no man to bee by for to heare their talke, fell freely to finding fault with the present government of the Empire.

6

  1618.  The Owle’s Almanacke, 47. Taylors shall bee patternes and presidents to sober men, a bushell of wheat to a tankard of beere, lest they cut their fingers when they are WHITTELD.

7

  d. 1742.  SOMERVILE, Poems, ‘The Yeoman of Kent.’

        A lying-in ’s expensive too,
In cradles, WHITTLES, spice-bowls, sack.

8