Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CROP-LEVEL, n. comb. A drift-mine, a coal-working entered at a surface outcrop and driven forward more or less horizontally instead of by a sunk shaft. See Ingaun, ppl.adj., I. (1).Fif. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 IX. 830:
Although it [coal] continued to be wrought by crop-levels long after 1291, there was little exportation till the middle of last century.
[From crop, the surface of the ground (see Crap, n.1, 1. (6).]
