Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1923-1942
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SWAIP, n., adj., v. Also swape. [swep]
I. n. 1. A slanting direction, an oblique course upwards or downwards, a slope (Rxb. 1972).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The dyke rins wi' a swaip owre the face o' the Law. It's easier ti gang owre be the swaip o' the hill.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 16:
At the boddom o the lang swaip that hed garrd mei pech.
2. A cut-away shape of a garment, an oblique hang or cut of a dress.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The swaip o' a wumman's skirt. The swaip o' a cut-away coat.
3. An angle-bar in joinery (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1972).
II. adj. Slanting or sloping, cut at an angle, oblique (Slk. 1825 Jam.) Hence swaip-away, id.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A swaip piece o' grund. A swaip-away coat.Slk. 1936 Border Mag. (July) 109:
The ewes were eagerly grazing by the side of the “swape” drains.Bwk. 1942 Wettstein:
A swaip road [one ascending a slope at a slant].
III. v. 1. intr. To take a slanting or sloping course, to rise or descend obliquely, of a road, etc. (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1972).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The auld fail-dyke swaips up owre the braeface. Ee maun swaip across the Fell ti wun ti the tap easy.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 6:
A'd breesteet the brae now, an the road swaipeet doon afore iz.
2. tr. To ascend on the slope or at a slant.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Ee maun swaip the Rig ti get ti the cantle.
3. tr. To cut or shape (a garment) obliquely (Rxb. 1972). Ppl.adj. swaipit, cut-away.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A swaipit(-away) coat.
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"Swaip n., adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/swaip>
