We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

CLAFF, n.2 A clasp (of the hand). Not known to our correspondents.Ags. 1882 Arbroath Guide (14 Jan.) 4/4:
The tread o's feet and claff o's neive, — A toil-worn, grimy loof, — Belang to ane ne'er kent to creenge.

[Prob. from root of arch. Eng. cleave, to adhere, stick fast. O.Sc. has cleve, id., pa.t. clafe, a.1400, prob. with long vowel, which may have been shortened on analogy with verbs like brek, brak (see note to Claff,n.1 and v.).]

6495

snd