Whittle — Defs

01 n. A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or shawl.

1.
A grayish, coarse double blanket worn by countrywomen, in the west of England, over the shoulders, like a cloak or shawl.

Phrases & compounds

Whittle shawl — a kind of fine woolen shawl, originally and especially a white one.

02 n. A knife; esp., a pocket, sheath, or clasp knife.

1.
A knife; esp., a pocket, sheath, or clasp knife.
“He wore a Sheffield whittle in his hose.” — Betterton.

03 v. t. To pare or cut off the surface of with a small knife; to cut or shape, as a piece of wood held in the hand, with a clasp knife or pocketknife.

imp. & p. p. Whittled; p. pr. & vb. n. Whittling

1.
To pare or cut off the surface of with a small knife; to cut or shape, as a piece of wood held in the hand, with a clasp knife or pocketknife.
2.
To edge; to sharpen; to render eager or excited; esp., to excite with liquor; to inebriate.[Obs.]
““In vino veritas.” When men are well whittled, their tongues run at random.” — Withals.

04 v. i. To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife; to cut up a piece of wood with a knife.

1.
To cut or shape a piece of wood with am small knife; to cut up a piece of wood with a knife.
“Dexterity with a pocketknife is a part of a Nantucket education; but I am inclined to think the propensity is national. Americans must and will whittle.” — Willis.