| 释义 |
ˈrancelman, ˈranselman
Also 8 -cell-, 9 -cil-, -zel-.
[? a. ON. *reynslu-maðr (acc. -mann), f. reynsla trying, searching, f. reyna to try, examine, search into + maðr man.]
A local officer formerly appointed in Orkney and Shetland to inquire into thefts and petty offences, and otherwise preserve good order in his district.
1752Act 26 in Gifford Hist. Descr. Zetland App. (1876) 89 A list of such honest men in the parish as are fit to be rancelmen. 1822Scott Pirate v. 1892G. Goudie in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. XXVI. 189 heading, The Fouds, Lawrightmen, and Ranselmen of Shetland Parishes. |