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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Clip, Clyp, v.¹ Also: clipe, klip. [ME. clippe, clippen (c 1200), ON. klippa.]

1. tr. To destroy (false coin) by cutting down or in pieces.Also, to pare fraudulently (current coin): see Clipping vbl. n. 1493 Acts II. 233/2.
The saidis officeris sall clip and brek the said fals … cuinȝie of euill stuffe 1519 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 191.
Quhare thai fynd ony refus of the saidis plakkis … that thai clip and destroy the fals plakkis 1567 Acts III. 30/1.
Quhair euer thay apprehend, or find ony fals money, to clip the samin 1569 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 261.
To the effect the fals money may be clippit and destroyit Ib.
Thay ordane him to his awin proper vse the haill fals money clippit 1574 Acts III. 92/2.
Sic [placks and hardheads] as thai find fals and countirfait may be instantlie clippit doun

2. To cut off or cut short (wool, hair, etc.) with shears. 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 3.
For xv elne claith of gold to the Countess of Surry … , quhen scho and hir dochter … clippit the Kingis berd 1513 Doug. xii. iv. 28.
A … scheip … Quhais woll or fleyce was neuer clyp with scheir 1535 Treas. Acc. VI. 260.
For careage of the woll fra the placis quhair the samyn wes clyppet 1596 Dalr. I. 60/10.
Thair wingis ar clipit, and fed in the hous

3. To shear (sheep); to cut the hair of (a person). 1493 Acta Aud. 179/1.
Seven skore of ȝowis clippit 1535 Treas. Acc. VI. 260.
To the clypstaris in feis, … clippand the Kingis gracis sheep 1569 Edinb. Test. I. 359.
Fiftie sevin lambes clippit 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 192.
Quhan scho klipis hir scheip, scho turnis the boul of the scheir thrie tymis in thair mouth 1598 Elgin Rec. II. 70.
That Grissall Jhounstoun and Bessie Corben be causit stand besyde the joiggis quhill thair headis be clippitt 1640–1 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 4.
Ordaines Cardyness to cause clipe … some scheipe parteining to Bakbie 1653 Peebles B. Rec. II. 15.
That all the goodes of Caidmuir be clippit 1657 Melrose R. Rec. I. 156.
John Hendrie … did wrangouslie … clipe and keile ane yow of myne

4. To take away by clipping. 1513 Doug. Conscience 8.
Fra conscience the con thay clip away