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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KNOOST, n., v. Also (k)nuist (Jam.), knoist; knais(h)t; knoush; knowsh (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.). [(k)nust, knɔist, knuʃ, knʌuʃ (Cai.)]

I. n. 1. A large lump, a chunk, a hunk, as of cheese (Lth. 1808 Jam.; Cld. 1825 Jam.; Mry.¹ 1911, knais(h)t); a heap, a pile, “like a miser's hoard” (Kcb.⁴ 1900); a hump (Cai.¹ c.1920, knoush); a swelling on the joint of the big toe, a bunion (Id., Cai. 1960, knoush); a wisp of straw, a tuft of wool (Mry.¹ 1928); fig. a greedy, ill-disposed, ignorant person (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 366, nuist).Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 46:
Syne out he took the heaviest haff [of a cheese], And ate a knoost o't quickly aff.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 35:
Mak her a guid cogfu' o' brose, an' put a knoist o' butter in them.

2. A blow, thump (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 366).

II. v. To beat, drub (Ib.); fig. to strike down, lay low.Dmf. 1805 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 700, 782:
An scamper aff like whuppit deils, Ere gruesom' death noosts Lucky Reid. . . . Though some wud laudron wi' a rung Weel noostit me.