Definition of "kevil" in 英语

noun

1. (Scotland) A lot (object used to determine a question by chance or independently of human choice).

   • 1821 [1802], Walter Scott (transcriber), Fause Foodrage, W. Scott (editor) Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 3, 5th edition, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, page 4, And they cast kevils them amang, / And kevils them between; / And they cast kevils them amang, / Wha suld gae kill the king.
   • 1887, Transactions of the Buchan Field Club, Volumes 1-2, Buchan Field Club, page 176, "Casting the kevils" was and still is a common mode of deciding a thing.

2. (nautical) A sturdy belaying pin for the heavier cables of a ship.

   • The following new ones will have to be supplied: Two pairs of sheave chocks similar to those now in use on board, and twelve large kevils at least four feet long and of heavy pattern.