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.
GRIPPER, n. Sc. usages:
†1. A wrestler. Cf. Grip, n., 2. (2).Sc. 1750 W. MacFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 85:
Alexander Carron . . . grapples with their Leader, whom he takes First by the Breast and kills, for which the King named him Grim-gere, i.e. a hardy Gripper.
2. One who catches and holds a sheep to facilitate the work of the shearer (sm.Sc. 1955). Cf. grippin-bucht s.v. Grip, v. 1.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shepherd's Cal. I. ii.:
Do ye imagine I'm gaun to hae a' my clippers and grippers, buisters and binders, laid half idle, gaffing and giggling wi' you?
†3. A midwife (Ork. 1887 Jam.). Also gripper-owre-ouilles (s. Ork. Ib.), grippa (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
4. In pl.: (1) a shoemaker's vice (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.); (2) antennae (Ib.).(1) Fif. 1890 A. Burgess Poute 29:
Sighs stick and capperis — klaams — kuddy-heels and grippers.
