Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SKARP, n. A bare barren piece of ground (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1970). Hence adj. skarpy, bare, thin, barren, of soil (Id.); ppl.adj. skarpid, of pasture: grazed bare (Sh. 1970). [skɑrp]
[Marw. suggests Norw. skarp, O.N. skarpr, thin, of soil, and compares n.Eng. dial. scarp, a bare piece of ground, but this last is certainly a mistake for Scaup, n.1, 2., and the Ork. form is prob. to be explained similarly.]
