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.
Quotation dates: 1822, 1899-1931
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SNEE, v.1, n. Also sni (Jak.), and erron. sneeze (Sh. 1846 Fraser's Mag. (Sept.) 334). See also Snae. [sni]
I. v. To cut off, esp. to cut bait (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 206, 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1971).Sh. 1822 S. Hibbert Description 512:
So he tuik da skuin and sneed da tombe.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 135:
He took his sköne and sneed aff her skövie (cut off the tail).Sh. 1931 J. Nicolson Tales 53:
One man was appointed to cut or “snee” the bait to the requisite size.
II. n. 1. A cut (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1932), Sh. 1971).
2. Of fish: inclination to take the bait (Ib.). Cf. Snae, n., 3.Sh.1908 Jak. II. (1932) 852:
Der'r a ill sni upo' de fish.
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"Snee v.1, n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snee_v1_n>
