ettle

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛtl/
• Rhymes: -ɛtl

From Middle English etlien, atlien, from Old Norse ætla (“to think, mean, suppose, intend, purpose”), from Proto-Germanic *ahtalōną (“to strive, think”), from Proto-Indo-European *ok- (“to think, intend, purpose”). Cognate with regional Swedish ättla (“to count, reckon”). Some Middle English forms perhaps remodelled after Old English eaht.

ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettling, simple past and past participle ettled)

1. (transitive, now Scotland, Ireland, Northern England) To propose, intend. [from 12th c.]
2. (intransitive, now Scotland, Ireland, Northern England, now rare) To direct one's course, to head. [from 12th c.]
   • 1972, George Mackay Brown, Greenvoe, Polygon, published 2019, page 39:

     The Siloam nosed and ettled into the grey sprawl of waves and sent up arcs of swift stinging spray.

3. (intransitive, now Scotland, Ireland, Northern England) To direct (something) to or at someone or something; to aim at. [from 14th c.]
4. (intransitive, now Scotland, Ireland, Northern England) To strive, to try. [from 16th c.]

• ettling

ettle (plural ettles)

1. (dialectal, chiefly Scotland) Intention; intent; aim.

• mint

A variation of addle (“to earn”).

ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettling, simple past and past participle ettled)

1. (obsolete) To earn.

• ettlings

• tetel

From Old Norse ætla.

• IPA^(key): /ɛtl/

ettle (third-person singular simple present ettles, present participle ettlin, simple past ettle't, past participle ettle't)

1. to intend, mean
2. to try, attempt