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: 1499-1689
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Sned, v. Also: snedde, snyd, snad. P.t. and p.p. also sned(de, snedd, snod. [OE snǽdan with shortening of the vowel (cf. Kep v.). Also in the later north. Eng. dial.] tr.
1. a. To chop (of(f), lop, cut (branches). Freq. in fig. context. b. To prune, trim (a tree). c. absol.a. (1) pres. 1558-66 Knox I 192.
Otheris sned the branches of the Papistrie, but he stryckis at the roote 1629 Boyd Last B. 80.
It is good that God snedde the vnfruitful and rotten branches of our life 1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Ceremonies iii ii 26.
Whereby they did in some sort snedde the reviving twigs of old superstitionp.p. a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 337.
Quhen all the branchis sa war sned The ȝoung tre na better sped 1513 Doug. xi i 14.
Ane akyn tre … The branschis sned and kut abowt alquhar 1513 Doug. xii iv 126.
Lyke as this ilk ceptour … Sall nevyr … spred branchis … For all the syonys and twystis wont to spryng Or grow thar fra … With egge lumys bene sned full quyte away 1596 Dalr. II 418/22.
Afor he cuttit of had and snedit al the branches and graines of his superstitione c1620 Boyd Fl. Zion Exc. xxiii/1.
With axes sharp, cut downe each goodly tree; The branches sned(2) 1602 Colville Paraenese 102.
To compair such persons … to ane brench sned of his tree a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 41.
To sned off luxuriant branchesb. pres. c1590 J. Stewart 205 § 23.
As the perfyt gardner dois prepair To sned his fruitfull treis and mak tham cleine 1591-2 Rob Stene 7. 1593 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 499.
To Andro Wod gairdiner … to sned the treyis of the buriell ȝaird liiij s. 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Puto, autumno, to trow, to sned trees 1602 Colville Paraenese 31.
As the vyne the more you sned hir, the more sche is frutfull 1640 Peebles Gleanings 250.
To Stevin Grieve … to snedde the tries, 1 merk 1640 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 603.
He is only lopping and snedding a fruitful tree 1662 Lamont Diary 151.
One of the plow-men … sneding tries on the north dyke … for the gyle-house 1664 Peebles B. Rec. II 60.
James Birsbaine to sned and keip thes brainches of his tries that lyes over the said Thomas his backhall 1679 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 286.
If it be a forest, he cannot otherwise cut it than the heritor was in use to do … to repair tenants' houses, etc. or to sned them(b) 1638 Peebles Gleanings 318.
To John Grive … to snyd the trees in the townes yaird(c) 1689 14th Rep. Hist. MSS App. iii 116.
I resolve rather to give it over and go home and snad trees at Polwart Housep.t. 1665 Old Ross-shire I 276.
Yet … David … wrongouslie … cuted down … snedit … and away took … 100 great fir mastsc. 1656 Brodie Diary 174.
I was lykwys snedding and planting; but oh! soe litl as I saw … of the Lord in all my imployment 1662 Lamont Diary 151.
The place where he was sneding
2. fig. To cut off (of, down) (a person, hope, etc.), to sever (a relationship). Also reflex.pres. 1602 Colville Paraenese Ep. 11.
The church … may iustly, vhenas any of hir members becum incorrigibill, sned tham of as inutill 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 50.
He is snedding down … the like of a Henry Hall and a Robert Dick, that were contending for the truthreflex. a1689 Cleland 74.
I hope You will not make a law to loupe, And sned it selfp.t. ?a1640 Copie of a Baron's Court (1821) 33.
Where barons wont to keep some four, some three [sc. servants], They snedded have some superfluityp.p. 1644 Baillie II 156.
It is good that our worldlie hopes should be snedd(b) c1590 Fowler I 289/26.
This change dois nothing me amaze nor yet my hope is snod
