Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

SNIRK, v.¹, n.¹ Also snjirk, snyirk. [sn(j)ɪrk]

I. v. intr. To creak, to make a grating creaking sound (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971). In 1959 quot., tr., to pull back with a grating sound, to wrench back noisily.Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (23 Aug.):
I tocht I heard da tae bane snirkin' apo' da tidder.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 94:
We heard dir aers snyirkin' ipo da kabes.Sh. 1959 New Shetlander No. 51. 29:
I snirket back da gear-tree, pat me fit ta da flör.

II. n. A creaking, grating noise (Sh. 1971).Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 17. 3:
Only the snjirk of the oars.Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 36. 29:
The unmistakable snyirk of the sharl-pins of Toit's cottage door.