A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1596-1669
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Wipe, Wype, n. [e.m.E. wype (1550) a blow, wipe (1568), also, (1606) a cutting remark.] fig.A remark, esp. a cutting remark, a disparaging reference, a sneer, jibe. Cf. Wap n. a. 1596 Dalr. I 39/25.
Is ȝit ane foul, this as a wype be the way, that gretlie abhoris the presens of man, quhilke the gustarde commonlie thay cal 1596 Dalr. I 263/11.
This I thocht necessar heir to make mentione of, as a wype be the way, that [etc.] 1637 Baillie I 18.
The chancellour wrote up presently the story to the king, with some wype to the thesaurer; … The thesaurer and counsellors being highly offended, that the [etc.] 1643 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 376.
An apologetical narration of their way … wherein they petition the parliament … for a toleration, and withal lend too bold wipes to all the Reformed churches 1650 Discovery of the Sinnes of the Ministers 3.
It is of our concernment to … have a by-blow or wipe at them [sc. publick sins], reproving the erls of the time 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 48.
I leive you to ghesse whether the daughters wipe or the mothers was tartest 1668-9 Fraser Lawfulness Separ. 80.
Wipes, taunts and blasphemies
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"Wipe n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/wipe_n>
