Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

‡SNAE, n., v. Also sney, sne(i) (Jak.), sny (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Ork. 1929 Marw.). See also Snee, v.¹ [sne, snai]

I. n. 1. A slice, a cut, as of bread, butter, cheese (Ork. 1929 Marw.).

2. A sheep-mark consisting of a slanting cut at the tip of the sheep's ear (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).

3. Inclination, liking; of fish: readiness to take the bait. Phr. wi a sne in or atill one, bent on some mischief or trick (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ib.:
Der'r nae sne on de fish.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
I hae ne snae for him.

II. v. To cut, slice (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 206), esp. in fisher taboo speech, of cutting up bait (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1834 Old-Lore Misc. X. v. 155:
I maa sney da tombe upon Robie and Da tooe.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (23 April):
Dy bridder is snaed da sam' as if we'd been gaun ta set for a hail o' shirks!