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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CARNAPTIOUS, CURNAPTIOUS, Carnapshus, adj. Also canaptious. Irritable, quarrelsome, “crabbed or ill-tempered” (Bnff.², Arg.¹ (curnaptious), Kcb.¹⁰ 1938; Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). [kɑr′nɑpʃəs, kʌr-]Sc. 1999 Herald 4 Sep 30:
Gus's admiration for John is not unanimously endorsed in The Jury Room. Reactions vary from carnaptious auld bugger (Dave the Rave) to unappreciative (Tequila Sunset). Sc. 2000 Herald 28 Sep 21:
It's said that when a rescue ship reached a remote desert island, the crew were astounded to discover that a single survivor of the shipwreck, a carnaptious Scotsman, had built two churches - one to attend, and one to stay away from on principle. Sc. 2000 Herald 22 Nov 21:
On being informed of the Labour person's brush with the carnaptious canine, Anniesland Conservative spokesperson Belinda McCammon said: "Oh dear, I hope the dog's all right."Gsw. 1931 H. S. Roberton Curdies 114:
That belangt to ane they ca'd Rab Frew, a carnaptious auld deevil he was.Gsw. 1992 Jeff Torrington Swing Hammer Swing! (1993) 305:
Hadn't Becky warned me that he was a 'canaptious big swine' who'd punch you as soon as look at you.sm.Sc. 1988 W. A. D. and D. Riach A Galloway Glossary :
carnapshus irritable, quick-tempered.Uls.(D) 1879 W. G. Lyttle Readings by Robin 48:
He's a cross carnapshus wee brat, so he is!Dwn. 1901 Ulsterisms in North. Whig:
He is such a curnaptious buddy that he is never at peace but when he is takin' the law of somebody.