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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.

DREEPLE, n. and v. Dim. and freq. form of Dreep.

1. n.

(1) A small quantity of any liquid (Sh.¹⁰ 1949; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 41). Hence dim. dreeplick(ie) (Ib.).

(2) A drip (Sh.¹⁰, Ags. (per Abd.²⁷) 1949).Abd.¹⁵ 1928:
There's a dreeple, dreeple fae the riggin fin the snaw blaws throw the sklates.

2. v. To fall in drops (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 41; Abd. 1825 Jam.² s.v. dripple); to drip, leak.Abd.² 1940:
The ale bowie maun be gizzen't for it's aye dreeplin' at the bung hole.