Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1718-1749, 1801-1856
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SNEG, v., n. Also snegg (MacTaggart). [snɛg]
I. v. 1. To cut (off) with a sharp instrument, snip (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also fig. Phr. to sneg off at the web's end, to cut off one's hopes (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Sc. 1718 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 78:
[She] sneg'd the Raips fow snack, We'er Knife that Day.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 38:
While we're sneg'd off at the Wob End.Sc. 1749 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 268:
By solemn excomunication To sneg such off from their salvation.Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 68:
Time, wi' his scythe has snegg'd aff thae.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 77:
[He] snegg'd hin' an' fore legs baith awa.Dmf. 1820 Blackwood's Mag. (April) 52:
A dozen of gullies will come and sneg our thrapples.Rxb. 1856 H. S. Riddell St Matthew xxvi. 51:
Ane drew his sword, an' snegget aff his ear.
2. To interrupt, to check, “to invite a broil” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 430).
II. n. 1. A sharp cut suddenly given, a small incision or notch (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Bwk. 1801 “Bwk. Sandie” Poems 36:
Gif Monsieur's durk shou'd gie a sneg.
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"Sneg v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sneg>
