Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†STAPPLE, n.1 Also stappal, -il; staiple. Sc. forms of Eng. ‡stopple, a stopper, plug, bung or anything which blocks up a hole or opening (Bnff. 1893 Dunbar's Works (S.T.S.) III. 82, stapple, staiple). See P.L.D. § 54; in 1737 quot. appar. a peak, dome, stud or the like on the crown of a cap.Abd. 1737 W. Meston Poet Wks. (1802) 106:
While Phaeton stood gaxing on it, Rubbing the stopple of his bonnet.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
The stappil of a mill, the stopper of a horn for holding snuff.Ork. 1904 Dennison Sketches 22:
The reek-hol', the licht-hol', an' de cat-hol' o' the hoose hed a' been hard stappid wi' Black Jock's ain hands. Bit every stappal wus riven oot.
