spelder

noun

1. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of speld (“chip, splinter”).

verb

1. (Scotland)To split apart.

   “By St. Andrew ! were he within reach of my hand I could spelder him by one stroke of my axe, yea, spelder him as I would a haddock ! " he added, as another volley of shot and arrows whizzed and rattled on the rocks around them.”

   “Outside the kitchen window was a small patch of green, monopolised by various boards laid on rough trestles, which held rows and rows of saith, ling, and cod, all 'speldered' and drying in the sun.”

   “You have drunk more than the share of two men of your size.' 'Hear her, Callach !' he said, laughing, and he reached out and pulled me down between his speldered thighs.”

2. (Scotland)To spread out; to sprawl.

   “So there was he hingin' by a line an' speldering on the craig face, whaur its hieest and steighest.”

   “The visitor, returning late across the eerie moor, sees a glow in the peat fire, reflected in the eyes of dogs speldered on the floor, and hears the purring of cats in cosy corners.”

3. (Yorkshire, dialectal)To spell.

   “Gul. How do you spell it ? Mar. Nay, makins, I knaw nought o speldering — I'se nea scollard.”

   “I paid three wheyte shillins this varra last week, For paper-patch'd leets, that my scholars meeght see To spelder their words, and ply A B C.”