Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Clapper, n. Also: clappir, clapar, -er. [ME. clapper, claper (c 1320), f. Clap v.] A means of making a clapping noise, esp. that used by lepers. 1436 Ayr B. Ct. MS.
Thai … ordanit that thir women … that ar myseleneis wifis acht to cum to the markat with cop and clapar that thai may be kennyt by c 1450 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 204.
Ane clappir of tre for the passioun a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 343.
Thus sall thow go begging fra hous to hous, With cop and clapper lyke ane lazarous 1544 Ayr B. Ct. 19 Oct.
The inqueist ordanit that na wyf na man suld cum to the mercat without cop or clapper entercommand with the sek men 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9733.
Alexander … steppit furth … With cop and clapper vnto the Empreours land 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 53.
That nane of the saids persouns lipperis cry or ask for almis otherwayis nor be thair said clapper 1654 Peebles B. Rec. II. 24.
Auchtand to Iohn Newton, for ringing of the stepill, scoll, and mercat belles, and going throw with the clapperattrib. 1612 Bk. Rates 289.
Bellis callid … clapper bellis