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.
†SNIBBERT, n., v.
I. n. 1. “A person of sharp, hard features, and little force of character” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 173). Dims. snibbertick(ie), id. (Ib.).
2. A tuft of corn, hay, etc., left uncut when reaping with the scythe.Bnff. 1930:
Ca' throw yir scythe a bittie farrer, man; ye're leavin' a nesty snibbert ahin ye.
II. v. “To loiter, or work in a silly, stupid manner” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 173).
[The three instances above seem to have no connection other than by formal assimilation. I. 1. and 2. may have derived from Neb, nib, with prothetic s. Cf. also Snubbert, and Snip, II. 1.]
