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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Skip, Scope, Scoup, v. Also: skyp, skipp, skypp, scipp, skoap, scoap, skopp, skoup(e, scowp, skowp. [ME and e.m.E. skip, scope (Cursor M.), skippe (K. Horn), scip (Wyclif), skyppe (Chaucer), scoupe (a1425), of uncertain origin, but appar. related to MNorw., MSwed. skopa to hop, skip, leap. Cf. ON skopa (also, skapa) skeid to take a run.] intr.

1. Of an animal: To go by leaps and bounds.(a) 1591 Crim. Trials I ii 254.
Ye [sc. a witch] caist owr ane blak dog that skippit vnder the schip a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1595.
Ye skip lyk a new clippit dinmont(b) 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii 140.
Thir thingis that maks me leif in hope, At libertie to se this lyoun scope(c) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 23 (W²).
Skowping 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 81.
Quhiles louping and scowping Ouer bushis [etc.] … Like royd and wilȝart rais 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 120.
Thair wes na bus culd hald thame bak, So trimly thay culd scoup

b. To scoup vnto (a person's throat), to leap at, with hostile intention. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 151/349.
This creuall draigon mercyless … That skoupis unto his throate 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 171/545.
One [bloodhound] skoapes [1591 scoupes] unto his throate & one his fouche is loth to leaue

2. Of a person: To spring or leap in a particular direction; to move by or as by skips or leaps. Const. various adverbs and prep. phrases. Also fig.In the Carmichael Prov. quot. in (b), it is uncertain whether skoupe is synonymous with skip, or an example of scoop.(a) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 357.
He is nought skeich na ȝit sker na scippis nought one syd c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 150/23.
Throw skaldand fyre ay as thay skippit Thay gyrnd with hiddous granis c1500-c1512 Dunb.(OUP) 128/59.
With gentill hors quhen I wald knyp Thane is thair laid on me ane quhip, To colleveris than man I skip That scabbit ar 1513 Doug. iv ii 44.
Ane strykkyn hynd … skypping furth, as to eschew the byt 1513 Doug. x xi 132.
Turnus … inwith burd can skyp 1513 Doug. xii vi 41.
He askis hors and harnes baith atanys, And haltandly in hys cart for the nanys He skippis vp and musturis wantonly 1576 Bann. Memor. 337.
He commandit Johne Hammiltoune to gang in; wha refuised. He skiped in him self 1584 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. MS 98.
Quha ever beis fund lowpand or skippand ouer dykis in this tyme [sc. of plague] … sall pay ilk fault xl s. 1603 Philotus 920.
In mutuall luif wee sall rejoyse Our furious fathers baith suppose Thay wald skip in the skyis 1609 Edinb. Test. XLV 246.
Beand sure … that in his awin tyme he will cum skippand our the montanis of spyces and quicklie transport my persone to the glorie of his heavinlie kingdome(b) 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 181/628.
The seconde captaine suire is ioye excessiflie to glaide Quho scoupis & lichtlie startlis a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 784.
And thow skip as thow skoupe thow wilt skad thee 1657 R. Moray Lett. fol. 61.
Yea! and is even skitters beginning to skowp?fig. 1630 Rutherford Christ & Doves 16.
So Jesus skips betwixt both the sides, because he is a friend to both

b. To hurry away; make off, abscond. Also, to skopp the skoire.(1) a1540 Freiris Berw. 555 (M).
I saw him skip gif I the suth can tell at our the bak in till ane myre he fell 1603 Philotus 705.
Ȝea harlote, trowit thow for to skip? 1605 Melvill 604.
Thair is not ane … that hes the rycht, title and possessioune of ane cow-hous or a caill-yaird, that wald so easily haiff skippit from the samyn [as] … thais ministeres … did for the rycht and tytle of His kingdome within Scotland 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 95.
The thesaurer … promised to send his coach for him, but skipt away, and sent ane apologie with Captaine Stewart(2) 1581-1623 James VIPoems I 221/185.
Fals allairum … that Turkis hadd skoppit the skoire, That fiftie gaileis quyte uaire fledd

c. transf. Of a person's nose: ? To turn up, to be snub. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 106/8.
And quhou hir schort catt nois up skippis

3. In pejorative use: To dance or frolic. 1558-66 Knox II 294.
How soon that ever hir Frenche fillockis, fydlaris [etc.] … gatt the howse allone, thair mycht be sean skipping not verry cumlie for honest wemen

4. ? To go astray; to err. 1549 Lamb Resonyng 79/1.
Outher ȝour buik of weir or Polidor hes skoupit in calculing of Kyng Edgaris ringne