Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DIMPLE, n.1 and v. Also dimpel, demple, dimble, demble.
1. n. A dibble (Mry. 1909 Colville 147; Bnff.2 1940; Abd. 1825 Jam.2, demple; Abd.2 1940, dimple).Sh. 1916 J. J. H. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (Faebruary 12):
Ye'll mak smaa redd if ye dell wi a dimpel.Inv. 1872 Trans. Highl. Soc. 38:
Prior to 1860 the small farmers in the higher districts formed holes 5 or 6 inches deep with a "dimple" on the top of the drills [for turnip seed], each hole being about 8 inches from its neighbour.
2. v. To plant by means of a dibble (Ork., Abd. 1887 Jam.6, demble, dimble; Bnff.2 1940; Abd.27 1949).Mry. 1909 Colville 147:
It took . . . three men to dimple an acre a day.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 222:
Ye sudna dimple yir taties.
