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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.

TAPE, n., v. Also taip; teep. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. tape. Comb. teep-line, a tape measure (Inv. 1911 Buchan Observer (10 April 1962) 7). See P.L.D. § 147. [tep; Dmf. †′tɪəp]

I. n. The long thin sliver into which wool is carded. Cf. Slab, n.²Abd. 1791 The Bee (28 Sept.) V. 108:
A tape of wool, in the technical language of the manufacturers is a long connected parcel of wool, in the state it comes from the combs.

II. v. To measure exactly, as with a tape-line, hence to use sparingly, to be economical with (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 94, 1808 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 157; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Kcd., em.Sc.(a) 1972). Ppl.adj. teepit, stinted, in short measure (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 232:
Then let us grip our Bliss mair sicker, And tape our Heal, and sprightly Liquor.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xii.:
Ye sall hae a' my skill and knowledge to gar the siller gang far — I'll tape it out weel.Sc. 1836 Chambers's Jnl. V. 155:
As she is now bordering on eighty, it is likely that it will last her time, for she takes great care to taip it out.m.Lth. 1984 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick 151:
Jess had taped us oot oor allooance.Ags. 1929:
Tape i' the tap, the boddam'll tape for itsel!Fif. 1946 J. C. Forgan Maistly 'Muchty 27:
It's a hard thing tae earn is siller, To mak it tape oot, aye a squeeze.Ags. 1952 Forfar Dispatch (22 May):
As I wiz taipin it tae gar'd lest.