Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†GNIDGE, v., n. Cf. Knidge. [gnɪdʒ]

I. v. To rub, press, squeeze, bruise.Abd. 1748 R. Forbes Ajax 8:
In hell . . . Where a fun-stane does Sisyphus Down to the yerd sair gnidge.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Poems (S.T.S.) 144:
An' then frae our fingers to gnidge aff the hide, With the wearisome wark o' the rubbing o't.Abd. 1794 Sc. N. & Q. (Ser. 2) VI. 183:
Till a' their banes baith gnidg't and sair is.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
One is said to gnidge another, when he presses him down with his knees.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 95:
Now, pipers, stand back to the hillock, . . . And gnidge the auld bag wi' your elbock.

II. n. A squeeze; a nudge (Bnff. 1880 Jam.). Also fig. = a bruise, hurt.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 67:
He ga 'im a gnidge i' the breest it took awa's braith.Bnff. 1869 W. Knight Auld Yule 71:
Think ye that sorrow's a' your ain, Because ye're fit to speak your pain, And tell the wee'st gnidge ye get To a'thing roun' about ye set?