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.
Quotation dates: 1790-1841, 1898-1899
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TWIG, v.1, n.1
I. v. 1. To pull with a jerk, to tug, twitch (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; I.Sc. 1973). Obs. exc. dial. in Eng.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 78:
Let rantin billys twig the string, An' for the tither mutchkin ring.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 333:
To rake the rent frae aff the soil, Else twig the meal-pawk's strings.Ayr. 1841 J. Paton Songs 38:
But death that fell snare did twig him at last.Sh. 1899 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd (1922) 132:
"Hook on, an' he'll geng aft," Arty Mowad said, as he twigg'd apo' da sail.
2. To turn round sharply, to jerk round.Per. 1898 C. Spence Poems 24:
The modest lass, bein' rather shy. Twigged round her head and looked awry.
†3. To wound the skin of a sheep when shearing (Slk. 1825 Jam.).
II. n. A quick pull, a tug, a twitch (Sc. 1825 Jam.; I.Sc. 1973).Sc. 1827 Laird of Wariston in Child Ballads No. 194 B. vi.:
The nurice she knet the knot, The lady did gie it a twig.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (18 June):
Shü lockid da büit an' gae him a twig or twa.
