Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1700, 1805-1837
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CAPFU', Capfou', Cappyfu', n. Also capfull. The fourth part of a peck, measured by a standard-sized bowl: “a capfu' o' meal, salt” (Clydes., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. cap). Known to Bnff.2, Abd.9, Fif.10 1938. [′kɑpfu: Sc., but s.Sc. + ′kɑpfʌu]Abd. [1835–1837] in Laird of Logan (1868) 462:
I jeest left Donald, puir thing, ower at the inn to eat his bit cappyfu' o' oats.s.Sc. 1700 T. Lever Lessudden Ho. (1971) 48:
For 9 capfulls of Oats at 4/- the capfull.Rxb. 1805 A. Scott Poems 163:
And grant us stomachs to devour Pints, pecks, and capfu's every hour.
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"Capfu' n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/capfu>
