Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1821-1909
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LIMB, n., v. Also lim(m). Dim. limbie (Ayr. 1789 Burns To Dr Blacklock v.).
Sc. usages. [lɪm, lɛm]
I. n. 1. Fig. as in Eng.: an agent or member, in phrs. devil's limb, limb o the deil, limb o sorrow (see Sorra), — Satan, etc., for a wicked or mischievous person or animal, an imp of Satan. Gen.Sc. Often reduced to limb alone, id., freq. of a woman (Lnk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.). Also in colloq. Eng.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 26:
Ye sorra's lims, quo' he, d'ye see What sort o' wark ye've made o't?Ags. 1833 J. S. Sands Poems 86:
Divide my game, ye devil's limbs!Ayr. 1879 J. White Jottings 276:
When wi' fun he runs wud He's a lim' o' the Deil.Kcb. 1890 A. J. Armstrong Ingleside Musings 141:
Hame cam' the limb in tatters.Sc. 1909 J. Colville Studies 137:
A mischievous boy was a loon-lookin' dog, or a “limb o' Sawtan”.
2. The shaft of a fishing-rod.Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 257:
I gets haud o' da limb o' a piltock waand.Sh. 1899 Shetland News (4 Feb.):
He ran dalim o' his rod i' da aeft stammerin.
II. v. To cut the branches off a tree (wm.Sc., Slk. 1961).
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"Limb n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/limb>
