Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLIP, Clib, n.¹ [klɪp Sc.; klɪb Gall., Uls.]

1. A colt, from the time it is weaned until it is set to work (Abd.² 1937). In Bnff. applied only to a young mare (Bnff.² 1937). The Uls. form is clib (1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). E.D.D. gives clip for Per. and clib for Gall. Dim. clippie.Mry. 1909 Colville 147:
A colt was a clip and not the usual “staig.”Abd. 1936 Thanksgivin' in Abd. Press and Jnl. (26 Oct.) 3/3:
A fairmer's wife it's fine to be, 'mong cauries an' the kye, The foalies an' the clippies an' the grumphies in the sty.

2. A pert or mischievous girl (Bnff.², Abd.²², Lnk.³ 1937). In Kcb. sometimes = smart girl, i.e. not necessarily uncomplimentary (Keb.¹1937). In Uls. applied to a child of either sex.Bch. 1924 J. Wight in Scots Mag. (Oct.) 56:
He's geen doon tae yon fite ship, an' oot o' it he's chosen a clip, an' he's made her Mrs Spicebox.Kcb. 1936 (per Kcb.⁹):
That Meg's a rale wee clip, i.e. a pert child.Dwn.(D) c.1880 W. G. Lyttle Robin's Readings II. 14:
He wuz the greatest yung clip a iver cum across, but raelly a cud not fin' in my heart tae be angry wi' him.