Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CABE, KABE, Kaeb, Keb, n. Also misprint kaak (Sh. 1898 Shetland News (3 Dec.)). “A thowl, or strong pin of wood for keeping an oar steady” (Sh. 1825 Jam.², kabe; 1866 Edm. Gl.; c.1890 (per Bnff.²); 1908 Jak. (1928), keb; 1914 Angus Gl., kaeb).Sh.(D) 1877 G. Stewart Sh. Fireside Tales (1892) 104:
Da tow began ta snore heavy upo' da cabe.Sh.(D) 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 111:
It was considered very unlucky to go between a man and his kabe.Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 219:
Shetland boats are not fitted with effete Southern gadgets like rowlocks: instead they have a kabe, which they stick into the ruths; round the kabe and the oar they twist a hommliband — and are all set.