Obs. rare. Also 7 spaliard, 9 spallier. [Of obscure origin: cf. SPADIARD.] A laborer engaged in tin-mining.
1625. Laws Stannaries, xii. (1808), 21. A labouring tinner, a blower, owner of blowing houses, a spalliard, or adventurer.
1630. Sir J. Dodridge, Dvtchy of Cornewall, 93. The laborious search for Tynne in those dayes, euen as it is vsed by the Spaliard at this day with great industrie and paines.
[1836. R. Polwhele, Hist. Cornw., Gloss. 91/2. Spallier, a labourer in tin-works. See Acts of the Stannary Parliaments.]
