Page:The ancient language, and the dialect of Cornwall.djvu/265

 245 Pye. Blocks of tin when formerly adulterated by lumps or pieces of iron being enclosed in the centre, were called pye. Tonkin. They say that by the old Stannary laws a person convicted of this fraud was made to swallow three spoonfuls of melted tin. It was a certain cure. Pysgy-pows, or Pixies' feet. ''Ridge-tiles are placed on houses in West Cornwall, having a round knob on them. The people say they are for the pixies to dance on; and that if you omit to place one for their amusement they will turn the milk sour." W. C. Borlase, in the Western Antiquary. Quab. Sickly, infirm. Garland. {Quad or quade, bad, and also quappe to tremble, to quake, are in Chaucer.) Quaddlin. A semi-imbecile, stupid manner. Quaff. (Pron. quaif ) To puff up. M.A.C. Quaiflfed, or Quatted. Satisfied, full. M.A.C. Quail. To wither. Quailed. Withered, as in speaking of flowers. Quailing. A sinking sensation in the stomach. Qualk. A heavy fall. '' I came down with a qualk." Quarantine. A bright red apple. Quarry, or Quarrel. A pane, or square of glass. Quat. To squat, to flop down, to flatten down. Quandary. Perplexity, uncertainly, in a wandering state of mind. In Celtic Cornish quamdrS means, to walk about, to wander; but this is borrowed from the English.