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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SNAAR, n., v. Also snar(r). Derivs. snaara, snar(e)l, snarle. [snɑr]

I. n. 1. (1) A kink or loop in a cord or rope (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.). Comb. †sna(a)ra-pin, a contrivance used instead of a hook on a fishing-line (see quot.) (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.).Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Dial. Sh. 18:
These wooden hooks were pins, some of which had a notch in the middle, where the tome (string) was fixed, and a slack at one end, where a loop-fashioned half-hitch was passed around, by which the hook with the bait on was kept in a hanging position up and down along the end of the line. By the slightest touch this half-hitch slipped off, and the pin, both ends of which were pointed, stuck across the mouth of the fish. These wooden hooks were not entirely done away with even in the beginning of this century. . . . They were called snaara-pins.

(2) Specif. the loop of cord forming the hand-hold and fulcrum of a Bismar or weighing machine, which is moved to and fro along the beam till equilibrium is reached (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 266, 1914 Angus Gl.). Also snar(e)l, snarle, id. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.), phs. due to formal conflation with Snarl.Ork. 1757 Session Papers, Galloway v. Morton (12 Nov.) 136:
The Snarle or String (by which the Bysmar is hung or suspended).Sh. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 140:
This cord is tied round the ends of a round piece of wood, about four inches long, and held in the hand, and is called “the snarl.”

2. A change in the direction of a current, the turn of the tide, the slack water between the ebb and the flood, the time at which this occurs (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 266; Ork. 1884 R. M. Fergusson Rambles 167; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1970).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 13–14:
A leethfu' man catches da snaar o' da tide.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 51:
Da tide is run wi mony a snaar.

‡3. Fig. The critical moment, the right or opportune time for action (Sh. 1970).Sh. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vi. 230:
When one was urged to seize the right opportunity he was counselled with one pithy word, “Tak da snaar.”

II. v. tr. To catch (the tide) on the turn, to row or sail across (the tide) at the time when it is turning (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 266, 1914 Angus Gl.).