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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNOCK, n.3 Also nock. A hill (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 364; Uls. 1953 Traynor), a hillock, esp. one standing in isolation. Obs. exc. poet., or as a place-name or place-name element. Gen.(exc. I. and s.)Sc.Sc. p.1745 Hogg Jacob. Relics (1821) II. 148:
Round the rock, Down by the knock.
Peb. 1775 A. Pennecuik Tweeddale (1815) 50:
Hills are variously named, according to their magnitude, as — Edge, Know, Knock.
Sc. 1820 R. Mudie Glenfergus I. 108:
The Knock, or insulated hill behind the church.
Fif. 1897 S. Tytler Witch-Wife x.:
[She had] been burned by the order of the magistrates and the Presbytery on the brow of the nearest knock to her place of dwelling.
Sc. 1933 W. Soutar Seeds in the Wind 20:
Then Jenny Wren an' a' the burds Gaed hotterin', owre knock an' knowe.

Comb.: †knock-wud, a wood on a hill.Knr. 1886 H. Haliburton Horace 63:
The knock-wud groans wi' anguish boo'd, An' rocks an' writhes the moanin' sea.

[O.Sc. knok, id., found in place- and personal names from 1330; Gael. cnoc, a hill.]

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