Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
JIMPIE, adj. Also jimpy. Small, slender (Nithsd., Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Mry. 1925, Abd., Lnk. 1959); scanty, barely sufficient. Also used adv. as in comb. jimpy-laced.Dmf. 1810 R. H. Cromek Remains 6:
O whare got ye that leal maiden, Sae jimpy-laced an' sma'?ne.Sc. 1830 J. Grant Kcd. Trad. 47:
White was her brow, an' rosy her cheek, An' neat an' jimpy her waist.Edb. 1856 J. Ballantine Poems 9:
An' bawbee Dalls the fashions apit, Sae rosy cheekit, jimpy shapit.Lnk. 1895 A. M'Lean Musings 92:
I quickly stepped up to her. Her jimpy waist enclasped.Abd. 1921 R. L. Cassie Doric Ditties 14:
They nott a' their jimpy time in stable, shed or byre.
