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Glite Dictionary
shiel

shiel

9.9
A small simple hut used by shepherds on Scottish hills
  • noun
  • /ʃiːl/
  • Archaic
: choza
  • The shepherd took shelter in a shiel during the stormy night.

Examples

  • Old stone shiels can still be found scattered across the Scottish hills.

  • They restored a ruined shiel to use as a hiking shelter.

  • The shepherd rested in a shiel after a long day.

  • Many shiels dot the landscape of the Highlands.

  • The shepherd took shelter in a shiel during the stormy night.

  • They restored a ruined shiel to use as a hiking shelter.

  • Many shiels dot the landscape of the Highlands.

Synonyms

hut
vsshiel
217 1.0

A small simple building where people live or stay

is specific to shepherd use in Scotland rather than general small dwellings
hooch
vsshiel
  • Jargon
5 9.2

A small simple shelter where soldiers sleep

is meant for shepherds in Scotland rather than military use
bothy
vsshiel
  • UK
9.8

A small simple hut in remote parts of Scotland used for shelter by workers and travellers

is used specifically by shepherds rather than general workers or travelers

How Small

house
∞ 1.0
cottage
171 1.0
shiel
  • Archaic
9.9
lean-to
6 6.7

Surface Forms

shiel singular
shiels plural

Etymology

Shiel comes from an old Norse word skjól meaning 'shelter' or 'cover', and is like the English word shield. In Scotland a shiel is a small 'shelter' where shepherds could protect themselves from wind and rain.