Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLAMP, Clamph, n.⁴, v.⁴ [klɑmp, klɑmf]

1. n. A piece of spiked iron fastened to the sole of the shoe by a strap across the instep, worn by curlers to prevent slipping (Fif.¹⁰ 1940; Ayr. 1936 Kilmarnock Standard (26 Dec.), clamph; s.Sc. 1898 E.D.D.); cf. Claff, n.¹ (2), and Cramp, n.², 1; “a spiked iron protector fastened to the toe or heel of a boot or shoe. The heel-clamp often had holes in it and was nailed on” (Ags.¹⁷ 1940).Ags. 1866 R. Leighton Poems (1869) 314:
The clamp I twisted aff my heel.

2. v. (1) To walk with “clamps” on the shoes.Ayr. 1891 H. Johnston Kilmallie xix.:
They “clamped” over the ice.

(2) To fit (a boot) with clamps (Ags. 1975). Ags. 1848 Feast Liter. Crumbs (1891) 17: 
Get shoon wi' clampit heels and taes, And five fu' rows o' muckle tackets.