Forms: see THIRL v.1 [f. THIRL v.1 + -ING1.]

1

  1.  The action of THIRL v.1; piercing, boring.

2

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 166. Þet, ȝif ȝe weren iðe worldes þrunge, mid a lutel hurlunge [MS. T. hurtlinge: MS. C. þurlunge] ȝe muhten al uor leosen.

3

1443.  Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 713. Cum thirlyng unius shafte, ut patet per bill. 10 li.

4

  2.  Coal Mining. See quots. and cf. THIRL1 4.

5

1686.  Plot, Staffordsh., 148. Between the wallings there were ribbs left, and passages through them called thurlings.

6

1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), V. 101/1. The workings called rooms, turned off at right angles from the others,… the workings called throughers or thirlings, 9 feet wide, wrought through at right angles from one room to another.

7

1839.  Ure, Dict. Arts, 976. Let fig. 840 le a small portion of the pillars, rooms, and thirlings formed in a coal-field.

8