Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SNYSE, n. Also ¶sneesh-. [snɑis] 1. A kind of wooden muzzle to prevent calves, etc. from sucking (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Ppl.adj. in transf. sense, snyst, having a white mark on the nose, of an animal, blazed (Ib.).
2. Deriv. snysin, sneeshan, the coot, Fulica atra (Id., Ork. 1971), from the white stripe on its forehead.
[Norw. dial. sneis, = 1. Cf. Snush, n.2 In 2. there has prob. been influence from Snyth in meaning, and in form also phs. from Sneeshin.]
