Obs. exc. dial. Also 5 -elle, 6 -yll(e, 6–7 -ell, 7 tournell, 7–9 turnil. [Derivative of TURN v.: cf. OF. tornel, tournel, that which turns, in various spec. applications.]
1. A ring turning on a swivel, a terret.
1469. in Househ. Ord. (1790), 97. The maister of the horses … for sadelles, harnesse, horse-houses, wateringe-bridles, halters, turnelles, pastrons.
1607. Markham, Caval., IV. ix. 41. This peece of leather you shall buckle about your horses farre fore-leg,… also when it is buckled on you must so place it, that a strong tournell of iron being cunningly fastned within the leather, may stand iust behind his leg.
2. The windlass over a well.
1578. Nottingham Rec., IV. 179. Mendyng of the turnyll of the welle. Ibid. (1599), 251. One bucket, one turnell, and a rope.
3. The catch or fastening of a casement: = TURN-BUCKLE 1.
1696. Rector’s Bk. Clayworth (1910), 118. The Thief came in at ye Casemt window, in wch he broke a Quarry to get in his hand to turn ye Turnil.
4. (See quots.)
1621. Markham, Prev. Hunger, xi. 115. Certaine toyes made of long Goose feathers in the manner of shettlecocks and with little small turnells of wood running in broad and flat Swan quilles made round like a small hoope, and so with longer strings fastened to the Poale will with any small winde or ayre whatsoeuer, twirle and flicker in the ayre.
1905. Eng. Dial. Dict., Turnil, a small, round lump of coal.
