Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1829-1830
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SCLASP, v., n. Also sklasp, sklesp. s.Sc. variant of Eng. clasp, to grasp the hand, a handgrasp, etc. (Slk., Rxb. 1825 Jam., Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). See S, letter, 5. In the following quot. the word may mean the span of the hand or its length from wrist to finger-tips but the whole passage is in some way corrupt (see Child's note V. 372). [sklɑsp, sklæsp]Sc. a.1830 Johnie Scot in Child Ballads (1956) IV. 488:
Then out and came that gurrly fellow, A gurrly fellow was he, With twa lang sclasps between his eyes, His shoulders there were three.
