Kevil

Quick meaning: Kevil is a noun meaning (Scotland) A lot (object used to determine a question by chance or independently of human choice).

Meaning

(Scotland) A lot (object used to determine a question by chance or independently of human choice).

More Meanings

1. (nautical) A sturdy belaying pin for the heavier cables of a ship.

Example Sentences

1887, Transactions of the Buchan Field Club, Volumes 1-2, Buchan Field Club, page 176, "Casting the kevils" was and still is a common mode of deciding a thing.

The following new ones will have to be supplied: Two pairs of sheave chocks similar to those now in use on board, and twelve large kevils at least four feet long and of heavy pattern.

The halliard is belayed on the kevil with figure-of-eight turns (not hitched), and the coil is carried up to the pin-rail, where the 1-inch rope is passed round it, the eye at the end of this rope being finally passed over the pin.

1821 [1802], Walter Scott (transcriber), Fause Foodrage, W. Scott (editor) Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 3, 5th edition, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, page 4, And they cast kevils them amang, / And kevils them between; / And they cast kevils them amang, / Wha suld gae kill the king.

Word Forms

• kevils

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include bitt-pin, point, padeye, hook, pintle, leader.

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