Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1898-1951
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KNUCK, n. Also (k)nock, knokk (Jak.), hnokk (Angus) and dim. forms nokki, nukki (Jak.). [(k)nʌk, (k)nɔk]
1. A number of bundles or rowers of wool carded and tied together ready for spinning (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1960).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (19 Feb.):
Shü ran doon da hidmist rower o' a knuck, an, open'd anidder ane at shü hed lyin' afore da fire.Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 39:
When a dozen or two rowars had been carded, the bunch was grasped by each end, given a few twists round, and formed into a knock, and then the spinning began.Sh. 1951 New Shetlander No. 29. 34:
Each 20 or 25 "rowers" were made into what was called "nock."
2. A small sheaf or bundle of prepared straw for making a Kishie (Sh., Cai. 1960).Cai. 1907 County of Cai. (Horne) 73:
Gloy is bound up in little sheaves four or five inches in diameter. These are now called tates or knocks of gloy.
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"Knuck n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 1 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/knuck>
