Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1828, 1908-1951
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KNIP, v., n.3 Also knipp; hnip. [knɪp, hnɪp]
I. v. To pull to pieces, to break off short with a jerk (Abd., Kcd., Dmf. (1960). Ppl.adj. knippin, of an edged tool: cutting away busily.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De coo knipped de tedder.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
He's hnippet da tap a da waand.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (11 Dec.):
But poor Sandy at the knippin tapiner had no such respite.
II. n. A sharp, breaking noise, a crack, in phrs.: (1) to cry or gae knip-knap, to snap in two (Sc. a.1905 Greig and Keith Ballads (1925) 231); (2) to play knip (on), to strike (against) (Abd. c.1782 E.E.P. V. 774).(1) Sc. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 281:
And three ribs o' the auld wife's side Gaed knip, knap, ower in twa.
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"Knip v., n.3". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/knip_v_n3>
