A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Nipschot, Nipshot(t, n. [Origin and precise meaning obscure; but perh. the first element is Nip v. and there is allusion to some fault in the management of the bow-string or the arrow in archery.] Of a bowman, of cannon, and fig.: To schute or play nipschot, appar. = to shoot amiss in some way, ? to shoot abortively, to shoot short. —15.. King Berdok 12.
Weill cowd he … bend ane aiprim bow and nipschot schute a1650 Row 395.
All the bishops' cannons were poysoned, they would misgive and shoot nipshot 1646 Baillie II. 362.
Our great hope on earth, the city of London, has played nipshott; they are speaking of dissolving the assemblie
