Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLOVES, n.pl. [klo:vz]
†1. “An instrument of wood, which closes like a vice, used by carpenters for holding their saws firm while they sharpen them” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
2. “Applied to the grip used by shoe makers to hold the leather when hand-stitching two pieces together” (Ayr. 1941 (per Kcb.10)).
[Prob. the same in origin as Clove, n., above, the two sides of the instrument forming a cleft into which the saw or leather is placed.]
