Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GAA-KNOT, n. comb. Also ga'-knot, gal(l)-knot, gald-knot. A knot tied in such a manner as to make it difficult to loosen (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., gaa-; 1908 Jak. (1928), ga'-, gall-, †gald-; 1914 Angus Gl., gaa-, gal-; Sh. 1953).
[Cf. Norw. dial. gald, gall, hard (trodden) ground, O.N. gall-harðr, hard as stone.]
