%shill%

v. t. [ Cf. Sheal. ] To put under cover; to sheal. [ Prov.ng. ] Brockett. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. An oaken sapling or cudgel; any cudgel; -- so called from Shillelagh, a place in Ireland of that name famous for its oaks. [ Irish ] [ Written also shillaly, and shillely. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. shilling, schilling, AS. scilling; akin to D. schelling, OS. & OHG. scilling, G. schilling, Sw. & Dan. skilling, Icel. skillingr, Goth. skilliggs, and perh. to OHG. scellan to sound, G. schallen. ] 1. A silver coin, and money of account, of Great Britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the United States currency. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In the United States, a denomination of money, differing in value in different States. It is not now legally recognized. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Many of the States while colonies had issued bills of credit which had depreciated in different degrees in the different colonies. Thus, in New England currency (used also in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida), after the adoption of the decimal system, the pound in paper money was worth only $3.333, and the shilling 162/3 cts., or 6s. to $1; in New York currency (also in North Carolina, Ohio, and Michigan), the pound was worth $2.50, and the shilling 121/2 cts., or 8s. to $1; in Pennsylvania currency (also in New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland), the pound was worth $2.70, and the shilling 131/2 cts., or 7s. 6d. to $1; and in Georgia currency (also in South Carolina), the pound was worth $4.206/7, and the shilling 213/7 cts., or 4s 8d. to $1. In many parts of the country . . . the reckoning by shillings and pence is not yet entirely abandoned. Am. Cyc. (1890) [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The Spanish real, of the value of one eight of a dollar, or 12&unr_; cets; -- formerly so called in New York and some other States. See Note under 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

York shilling. Same as Shilling, 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } adv. [ A reduplication of shall I. ] In an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am somewhat dainty in making a resolution, because when I make it, I keep it; I don't stand shill-I-shall-I then; if I say 't, I'll do 't. Congreve. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To hesitate; to act in an irresolute manner; hence, to occupy one's self with trifles. [ 1913 Webster ]