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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.

SNAKE, n. Also snaik. A slug, esp. the large grey or black garden-slug (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Cai. 1970). Deriv. snaikie- in comb. snaikie-buckiae, “land molluscs of the genus Limax and such marine molluscs of the genus Helix as are not thought edible” (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.).

[Variant of obs., exc. dial., Eng. snag, sneg a snail (cf. L.Ger. snigge, Ger. schnecke), no doubt influenced by snake, with which the word is ultimately cognate.]

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