Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

GNIB, adj. Also knib (Sh.). [gnɪb, kn-]

1. Quick in action or speech (Abd.⁶ 1910; Abd.²⁷ 1930; Sh.¹⁰ 1954, knib(by)), sharp, smart, eager. Sometimes used in a derogatory sense. Also used adv. Compar. gnibber. Cf. Knibble.Abd. 1748 R. Forbes Ajax 15:
An' wi mischief he was sae gnib, To get his ill intent.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings 16:
The mair we drank, we grew the gnibber.Bnff. 1853 Banffshire Jnl. (21 June):
Thus we may drive to Aberdeen, As gnib as drive a nail aye.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 67:
He's unco gnib; it wiz only yesterday a got the len o't.Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
“Ye're rael gnib,” said of one that seeks settlement of an account before it is due.

2. Light-fingered (Sc. 1808 Jam.); greedy, grasping (Mearns ⁵ 1944).

3. Short-tempered (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 67).