Sc. [Cf. SPELD v. and dial. spalder (s.v. SPALD v.).]
1. intr. To spread or extend oneself, by throwing or stretching out the legs (and arms). Also in pa. pple., stretched out in this manner.
1720. Pennecuik, Screams fr. Helicon, 67. The Doxies turn up their Keels and spelder.
1756. Mrs. Calderwood, in Coltness Collect. (Maitland Club), 129. Bowles, who had come from the other cabin…, was speldring with legs and arms to keep his ballance.
1820. Hogg, Bridal of Polmood, vii. Kimmers, that war lying doveryng … and spelderyng.
1863. W. Miller, Willie Winkie, etc. (1902), 1. The dog’s spelder’d on the floor.
2. trans. To split and spread open (a fish, etc.). Hence Speldered ppl. a.
1710. Ruddiman, Gloss. Douglas’ Æneis, s.v. Speldit, We say also spelder … in the same sense.
1808. Jamieson, To Spelder, to split, to spread open; as, to spelder a fish, to open it up for being dried.
1828. Moir, Mansie Wauch, vii. 61. Splitting the hills as ye would spelder a haddy.
1896. P. A. Graham, Red Scaur, xvii. 260. Never talk o’ fightin’, you speldered herring!
