Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1748, 1801, 1853-1900
[0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]
GNIB, adj. Also knib (Sh.). [gnɪb, kn-]
1. Quick in action or speech (Abd.6 1910; Abd.27 1930; Sh.10 1954, knib(by)), sharp, smart, eager. Sometimes used in a derogatory sense. Also used adv. Compar. gnibber. Cf. Knibble.Abd. 1748 R. Forbes Ajax 15:
An' wi mischief he was sae gnib, To get his ill intent.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings 16:
The mair we drank, we grew the gnibber.Bnff. 1853 Banffshire Jnl. (21 June):
Thus we may drive to Aberdeen, As gnib as drive a nail aye.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 67:
He's unco gnib; it wiz only yesterday a got the len o't.Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
"Ye're rael gnib," said of one that seeks settlement of an account before it is due.
2. Light-fingered (Sc. 1808 Jam.); greedy, grasping (Mearns 5 1944).
3. Short-tempered (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 67).
[Orig. imit. of snapping action or noise: cf. Knip, n.2, Gnip; Knibble.]
