Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHIRP, v. To shrink, shrivel. Most freq. as ppl.adj. shirpit, -et, thin, shrunk, lean, emaciated, with sharp drawn features (Ayr. 1825 Jam.; e. and wm.Sc. 1970). [ʃɪrp]Ayr. 1821 Galt Annals xlvii.:
His nose was shirpit and sharp.Sc. 1828 A. Picken Sectarian III. xxv.:
A man's perfectly shirped to naething to please a wheen boys an' tailors.wm.Sc. 1868 Laird of Logan App. 516:
“A shirpit leg”, a leg withered up from disease.Ayr. 1896 H. Johnston Dr Congalton i.:
Yer a decent wee fellow compared wi' yon shirpet body, the factor.wm.Sc. 1934 “Uncle Tom” Mrs. Goudie's Tea-Pairty 20:
Lookin' blue an' shirpet-like and chitterin' wi' cauld.