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.
(Soup,) Sweip, n.1 Also: suep, sweap, sweep, sueep. [e.m.E. swepe (Prompt. Parv.), sweepe (1548), swiepe (1552), sweap (1660); Soup v.3]
1. A sweeping movement; a blow struck as the result of such a movement. Only fig., with a sweip of a tods taill, with a very lenient punishment.1672 Lauder Jrnl. 221.
My Lord concernes himselfe … to bring his man of only with a sweip of a tods taill, wheiras … he should be his main prosecuter
2. An apparatus for drawing or pumping water.1598 Acts IV 176/1.
Counterpaces or sweipis for lifting of watteris [sc. from mines, quarries, etc.] be the force and laubour of menis handis
3. A sail of a windmill.1642 Scots Scouts Discovered 3.
[St. George] vowed to be revenged on Saint Andrew, whom he threatens to turn into a wind mil where his crosse shall serve for the sweapes
4. pl. and coll. Scraps of silver left over from the minting process, and swept up for re-use, sweepings.pl. 1681 (1691) Consideration on the Scots Mint 34.
There was in the mint-house some silver, called sweeps, which are small corns or grains bruched off the moulds and lignots immediately after casting 1682 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 191.
A great pairt of the coyne of this kingdome, under the pretence of silver called, chizle, heades, sweepes and scrapes, hes been melted and printed without the presence or knowledge of the essay mastercoll. 1673 Mint Melting Journals Intro. 1.
The last sueep & remander of the last journay 1673 Mint Melting Journals 9b (16 Aug.).
In heads and suep 00. 09. 12. 00 1677 Mint Melting Journals. 2.
More of sweep brayed out by my masteris order 1677 Mint Melting Journals 5b (28 April).
More of sweep of severall meltings
