Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

STEEPLE, n.², v.² Also stiple, ste(e)pil(l); stepple. Sc. form of Eng. staple, for securing a bolt, hook or wire, †a post. [stipl]

I. n. 1. As in Eng. (Slk. 1825 Jam.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson). Gen.Sc.Sc. 1722 W. Hamilton Wallace iv. i.:
Wallace . . . the Bar and Steeple all in Flinders broke.Abd. 1730 A. A. Cormack Education in 18th C. (1965) 45:
4 Stiples and 1 locking Stiple.Dmf. 1796 Dmf. & Gall. N. & Q. (1913) 83:
For making small work for carts such as crooks and stiples.Sc. 1809 Farmer's Mag. 198:
Horizontal pulleys fixed upon the shafts by an iron steeple.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 29:
The jogg stepple teuk had o' the cog.Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 395:
He gaed first tae the stable door an put on the hesp an put a stick through the steeple.Lnk. 1951 G. Rae Howe o' Braefoot 10:
A stane o' fence steeples, twae rowes o' barb wire.

¶2.? A prop, leg, support, post (see note).Sc. 1727 Scots Mag. (March 1755) 135:
How high should a mason's siege be? Two steeples, a back, and a cover, knee-high all together.

II. v. To fit (a door, etc.) with a staple.Kcd. 1705 in Burns Works (Chambers 1896) I. 452:
With ffor door locked and bandet and back door bared and steepled.