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.
Quotation dates: 1810-1834, 1887-1916
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EXCEP', prep., v. Gen.Sc. form of Eng. except. See P.L.D. §63.2.
1. prep.Cai. 1887 B. Watten Stratharran 86:
He's as gentle as a lamb excep' when there's good occasion for him to be as bold as a lion.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick v.:
There was a by-ordinar congregation that day; a'body that could win was there, excep' that thrawn deevil An'ra Wabster.Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 23:
But, min' ye, I'm an ootlin here excep' i' the kirkyard.
2. v. Sc. forms: (1) pa.t. exceppit; (2) pr.p. exceppin(s), with aphetic form ceppan (Ork.5 1950), used with prep. force = except (Sh.10, Ags.19, m.Lth.1 1950).(1) Sc. 1834 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1856) IV. 95:
He was aince himsel the best guddler in the south o' Scotland, if you exceppit Bandy Jock.(2) Sc. 1810 Magopico 38:
They'll ne'er set their fitt within the kirk-waw, exceppins now and then to see and be seen.Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 29:
Ye may say that, wi' a pig's tail in your cheek, Mr North; for . . . exceppin your ain single sel, there's no a man noo . . . that knows how to hawnle a cat-o'-nine-tails.
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"Excep' prep., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/excep>
