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.
Quotation dates: 1815, 1898-1931
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KNEP, v., n. Also (k)nepp, knaep; hnep(p) (Jak., Angus). [knɛp, hnep]
I. v. 1. To clasp the hands (Sh. 1960); to clench the fist (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 128, 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1960). Ppl.adj. kneppit, -ed.Sh. 1815 Shetland Advert. (6 Jan. 1862):
[To] gie dee een i' d' fess wi me kneppit nev.Sh. 1931 Sh. Almanac Companion 191:
Shu lies laek a bairn, haands knepped in prayer.
2. To bind closely, to tie firmly (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), to tie corn into bunches (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), nepp, Sh. 1960).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (22 Oct.):
Shü an' Sibbie wis staandin' knaepin' a burden o' bere apo' da tidder rig.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To knepp a mesi (o' hay), to tie the carrying-bands . . . around a straw-net basket (with hay) in transport by pack-horse.
II. n. “A notch or groove or “sneck” cut near the end of each of the flail sticks or “sooples” for the “huid” or joining bands to be fixed in” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[Norw. dial. kneppa, to squeeze together, to join together, O.N. kneppa, to press, squeeze, hug, to button.]
