Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WAMPLE, v., n.

I. v. 1. intr. To wriggle, to writhe (Sc. 1825 Jam.; sm.Sc. 1973). Ppl.adj. wamplin.Ayr. 1818 J. Kennedy Poet. Works 49:
Here Clooney wamples like an eel.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers 10:
Girnin' hares an' snickin' wamplin' eels.Dmf. 1873 A. Anderson Song of Labour 37:
He wamples aff his mither's knee to row on the hearth-stane.

2. Of a stream: to wander, to meander, to flow gently (Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 42). Also in n.Eng. dial.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 121:
Just below, did wamplin flow, The Minnoch and the Fleet.Ags. 1880 J. E. Watt Poet. Sk. 29:
A burnie came wamplin' doon.

3. tr. To intertwine, to entangle. Also fig.Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Works 166:
He's wampled in a tether [by marriage], Just like mysel.Ayr. 1823 J. Meikle Poems 15:
Let reason redd the wampled briers Afore ye tread.

II. n. 1. An undulating motion (Ayr. 1825 Jam.).

2. A tangle.Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 42:
Ye've got that yairn in a wample.