bill—a battle-ax

second sight—prophetic vision, as in Riders to the Sea and Campbell of Kilmhor

fetch—one's double; seeing it is supposed to be a sign that one is fey or fated to die

wimpled—"clouted up," as Hallgerd expresses it, in a headdress rather like a nun's. A widow, apparently, might wear her hair uncovered

byre—cow-barn

midden—manure

quean—in Middle-English, a jade; in Scotch, a healthy lass; the history of this word and of queen, which come from the same root, is strange and interesting

ambry—press

Romeborg—Rome; Mickligarth—Constantinople (Viking names)

Athcliath—evidently an Irish port