Definitions For Spale

Noun

SPALE (plural SPALEs) (Now, _, chiefly, _, dialectal, Scotland) A chip or splinter of wood. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. A strengthening cross timber. (shipbuilding) One of a number of cross-bands fastened temporarily to the frames to keep them in place until properly secured. : {{synonyms, en, spaling}}

Alternative forms

spail, speal, spell, spyle, spile

Etymology

From Middle English spale, , splinter, perhaps partly from {{inh, en, ang, spalu, , flat bar, flake, chip}} or {{der, en, non, spǫlr, , plank, rail, bar, short piece of wood}}, both from {{inh, en, gem-pro, *spaluz, , pole, rod, thin bar, lath}}; and partly as an alteration of {{der, en, ang, speld, , ember, flake, torch, splinter, thin piece of wood used as a torch}}, from {{der, en, gem-pro, *speldą, , that which is split, splinter, board}}; both from {{der, en, ine-pro, *(s)pala-}}, *(s)pel-, , to split in two, split in half. Cognate with {{cog, gmh, spale}} ("rung of a ladder"; > dialectal {{cog, de, Spale, , a wooden split, wedge)}}, dialectal {{cog, sv, spalu, , splinter}}, dialectal {{cog, no, spel}}, spela, spila, , a splinter, {{cog, is, spölur, , bit, short piece}}. See also split.