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.
Quotation dates: 1828-1970
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TIPPET, n. Also tippit; ¶tibbet. [′tɪpɪt]
1. A length of twisted horse hair to which the hook is attached on a fishing-line (Kcd., Fif. 1825 Jam.; Kcd., Ags. 1972). Hence tippet-stane, a round stone with a hook in the centre used as a weight or spindle in twisting tippets (Sc. 1880 Jam.). Cf. tippin s.v. Tip, v.1, 1.Mry. 1830 Elgin Liter. Mag. 269–70:
He caught with the rod, and with a "tippet" of only three hairs in strength, a salmon which weighed upwards of sixty pounds.Abd. 1872 A. Allardyce Footdee 6:
To tip the line, which is usually a hempen rope, is to attach to it, at equal intervals, pieces of hair twist called tippets, to the ends of which the hooks are fastened.n.Sc. 1969 Scottish Studies XIII. 7:
The word tipping or tippit, is used chiefly north of the east neuk of Fife.
2. (1) A handful of stalks of straw, sometimes plaited or bound together at one end and used in thatching (Abd., Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Abd. 1965 Press and Jnl. (26 March)) or in binding a sheaf, a stapple; a plait, tuft or handful of hair, wool, straw, etc. (Mry., Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Bnff., Abd. 1972).Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 225:
At ilka tippet o' her horse mane, Twa bonny bells did loudly ring.Abd. 1905 C. Horne Forgue 194:
Her grey hair was hingin' doon her back a' in loose tippits.Abd. 1932 Abd. Press and Jnl. (17 Oct.) 3:
His flail was of the usual pattern, except that he used either a "tippet" of straw, or a piece of straw rope for the mid-couple.Bnff. 1970 Ulster Folklife XV. 44:
A 'tippet' or handful of straw was taken doubled over the head of the 'stob', and thrust into position. Just enough of the 'tippet' was doubled over to let the 'stob' get a hold.
†(2) a bunch or gathering of leaves in a book.Bnff. 1837 W. Geddes Mem. J. Geddes (1899) 53:
He would single out the 'tippet' of the few leaves containing the Fourth Canto of Childe Harold . . . telling them that the 'tippet' at one time cost as much as the whole collected volume.
(3) a rag, a tatter of cloth.ne.Sc. 1928 J. Wilson Hamespun 56:
In tippits rivin' a' their claes.
