A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460, 1535-1661
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Snapper, v. Also: snapyr, snappr-. [ME snapir (14th c.), e.m.E. snapper (a1529). Cf. Germ. dial. schnappen to stumble, limp (MHG snaben, MLG snaven).] intr. To stumble, trip; fall. b. fig. and in fig. context. To stumble, fall in (error), trip (up)on (anent, at) (an obstacle). Also const. doune.1460 Hay Alex. 2176.
Mycht nane gang in that hall for stikit men … one ane man [he] snapperit [pr. suapperit] one the flure And to the erd he passit tape oure tale 1460 Hay Alex. 3135.
And mony ane hawbrek persit, and bludie cors, And mony ane snaprit [pr. suaprit] that neuir reis agane 1535 Stewart 46909.
His hors hapnit to snapper and to fall 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Cespito, to snapper or stumble 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Cathorivs.
Quhen ane horse being led furth of the stabill … or in the beginning of his journey, snappers or fallis with his maister a1603 Anc. Prophecies 27.
He shundered on the fold, and his feete snappered 1650 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VIII 233.
In the tym that he was runing at hire he snappered and lighted upon ane cart wheeleproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 105.
A horse may snapper on foure feetb. c1460 Wisdom of Solomon 456.
The foly of the ful garis hyme snapyr quhen he venis to stand 1562-3 Winȝet II 10/5.
Our wind fallin brethir, laitlie snapper it in the cummerance of Caluin a1585 Maitland Maitland Quarto MS 34/54.
Neidfull it is thairfoir to gang warlie That rakleslie thow snapper not nor slyide 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 298.
It were better to snapper upon any other stone nor upon that precious corner, for there is none that snapper upon that stone but he shall break the neck both of body and soul 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 385.
Many run … who will snapper and crook in the way c1590 J. Stewart 240 § 161.
Pryd, quho hich his hautie heed did turs Doune snapprit on ane stok and break his nek 1596 Dalr. I 227/10, 13.
Albeit … he appeiret to snapper, anent the celebratione of the Pasche day, … at quhilke stane snappired lykwyse Bischope Aidane 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 76/7.
& yett for all thaire cunning sum of thaime ualde quhyles snapper out ueill grosselie uith the treuth of thaire intentions, informing the peopill that all kings … uaire naturallie ennemies to the libertie of the kirke a1661 Rutherford An Exhortation at a Communion to a Scots Congregation in London (1775) 4.
It was no bright plea to his hand, that Christ snappered on when he fought with your enemies
