Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1889-1991
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SNIBBLE, n. Also, in sense 1., snibbelt, snibbit. [′snɪbəl]
1. A wooden knob or pin at one end of a rope or tether which fits into a loop to make it fast, a toggle (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 430; Rxb. 1825 Jam., snibble, -elt, -it).
2. A bar of wood or iron used as a brake or drag on a waggon or hutch in mining (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 62; Fif., w.Lth., Lnk., Ayr. 1971). Also fig.Lnl. 1889 F. Barnard Chips frae the Engine Lum 138:
I fear ye've put a snibble in, Ye've fairly knock'd me out o' tune.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 65:
Without a snibble in your hutch.Fif. 1950 Edb. Ev. Dispatch (28 Jan.):
I put a snibble into the hind wheel of the last hutch.Ayr. 1991:
Pit a snibble in it.
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"Snibble n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snibble>
