Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLYPACH, n.² and v.² [′kləipəx]

1. n.

(1) “A large unseemly clot of any liquid, semi-liquid, or soft substance” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 28); a bedraggled mass (Abd.⁹ 1936).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 28:
His muckle quyte wiz a' in tatter-wallops, an' hingin' in weet clypachs aboot's legs.

(2) “Work [performed] in an ungraceful, dirty manner amongst liquid, semi-liquid, or soft substances; walking in an ungraceful, dirty manner” (Ib.).

(3) “An uncomely person of a somewhat disagreeable disposition, and not very cleanly habits” (Ib.).

2. v.

(1) “To do work of whatever kind in a dirty, slovenly manner; to walk in a dirty, ungraceful manner” (Ib.).

(2) To flap (of anything wet and untidy).Bnff.² 1936:
His fool torn breeks clypached aboot his legs like dish-cloots.