Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
NABB, n. Also (k)nab(b). A hillock, knoll. the summit of a hill or prominence (Ayr. 1880 Jam., nab); a rocky protuberance, a promontory (Ork. 1929 Marw., knab; Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 177, Sh. 1963). Now mainly as a place-name. Also in n.Eng. dial. Comb. knab-knop, a protuberance, the Noup of a hill (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.). [(k)nɑb]Bwk. 1826 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 46:
St Abb placed her structure upon the points, or nabs, of a high rock.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (26 March):
The unreclaimed grass which grew “fae da muckle kirk tidda knab ”.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De Nabb . . . near Lerwick is also locally called “de Knabb ”.
