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: 1875-1942
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KNOCKLE, n. Also nockle, nochle, knyockle, -el. The rounded, protuberant part of a bone at a joint, the condyle (Cai., Ayr., Wgt. 1960). This meaning has been obs. in Eng. exc. n. dial. from 17th c.; a knuckle (ne.Sc., Per. 1960). Hence knuckly, of knees: knobbly, bony (Sh., Uls. 1960). [(k)n(j)okl]Mry. 1875 W. Tester Select Poems 77:
I dirl'd at the door Wi' the knaps o' my knockles.Gall. 1900 R. J. Muir Mystery Muncraig iv.:
The outline of Rob's knees which were all too knuckly and knobbly.Kcb. 1900:
Thae's unco nochles o' knees o' yours.Cai. 1928 John o' Groat Jnl. (17 Feb.):
Peety ye hedna seen ma staircher, an' cuffs til ma nockles.Bnff.2 1942:
Sandy cam oot ower his knockles wi' the thick eyn o's wheep shaft.
Phr.: †knyockles of the queets, the ankle-bones (ne.Sc. 1911 S.D.D. App.). See also Crockle (Suppl.).
[O.Sc. knockle, 1584, knockell, 1629, id., Mid.Eng. knokil. Cf. Mid.Du. knokel, dim. form of knoke, Ger. knochen, a bone.]
