Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡BACK-SPRENT, n. [′bɑk′sprɛnt]
1. The backbone (because of its elastic force).Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Sc. Proverbs 119:
He's no steel in the back sprent.Ayr. 1879 J. White Jottings in Prose and Verse 228:
When your back sprent's as stiff, As an auld hazel rung?
2. (See quot.)Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Back-sprent. The designation given to the spring of a reel for winding yarn, which rises as the reel goes round, and gives a check in falling, to direct the person employed in reeling to distinguish the quantity by the regulated knots. . . . The spring or catch which falls down, and enters the lock of a chest. The spring in the back of a clasp-knife.
