Chiels

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. In Scots dialect, young men or lads, often used in a friendly or familiar way when addressing a group
2. Scottish word for young fellows or boys, typically used informally to refer to a group of men or youths
3. Lads or young men in Scots usage, a casual term for a group of youthful companions

Etymology: "Chiels" is the plural of "chiel", a Scots word for a young fellow or lad. Its origin lies in the Scots form of "child", since the word traces back to the same root that gives English "child", and in Scots usage it came to mean a young man rather than a small child. Because the plural follows the regular pattern, "chiels" simply refers to several such young men at once.

Synonyms: fellow, lad