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.
TWEEZLICK, n. Also -lock, -loch, twasslick, and variant or reduced forms tweezle(r), tweezick (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). An instrument consisting of an iron hook for the strands revolved in a swivel and used in twisting straw or rush ropes, a simplified form of thrawcruik (see Thraw, I. 1. Combs.) (ne.Sc. 1961 Gwerin III. 212; ‡ne.Sc. 1973). [′twi:zlɪk]Abd. 1909 C. Murray Hamewith 66:
It's braw wi' the tweezlock to twine Lang rapes in the barn sae lythe.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 170:
A turn o' the thraw-crook instead o' a tweezelick.Abd. 1950 Huntly Express (13 Oct.):
Anyone with a thrawcrook or tweezlock twisting it round into a rope or rape while stepping slowly backwards and thus keeping the woven rape firmly taut.
