Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun The devil; Satan.
  • noun A mischievous person; an imp.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The devil.
  • noun A wicked, mischievous, or troublesome fellow.
  • noun See dil-.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun Scot. Devil; -- spelt also deel.
  • noun See under Buckie.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Scots, from Middle English dele, variant of devel; see devil.]

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Examples

  • "But somehow 'deil' doesn't sound as bad as devil," argued Blanche.

    Hunter's Marjory A Story for Girls Margaret Bruce Clarke

  • 'Faither!' he cried, 'I said "deil" to-day; many's the time I said it, and

    Lay Morals Robert Louis Stevenson 1872

  • 'deil's in ye, Ailie; d'ye no see the stranger gentleman?'

    Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Complete Walter Scott 1801

  • 'deil's in ye, Ailie; d'ye no see the stranger gentleman?'

    Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Volume 01 Walter Scott 1801

  • If we can agree on that then we can all stop playing deil-speed-the-liars with the wingnuts who think Obama has been foisted on the American people by the Comintern, or whatever repalced it.

    John Terry’s sacking as England captain tells us something interesting... 2009

  • “What the deil, man,” said an old Highland servant belonging to the family, “can she no drink after her ain master without washing the cup and spilling the ale, and be tamned to her!”

    A Legend of Montrose 2008

  • “Deil a fear — deil a fear; I will bring him in to the barrace myself,” said Norman, “assuredly.”

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • You will find yourself a right welcome guest to Eachin, and the deil a man dares stir you within his bounds.

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • My gudesire was, by this time, far beyond the bounds of patience, and, while he and Laurie were at deil speed the liars, he was wanchancie aneugh to abuse

    Redgauntlet 2008

  • ‘The deil a bit,’ answered the undaunted Peter Peebles; I mind ye weel, for ye lodged in my house the great year of Forty-five, for

    Redgauntlet 2008

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