Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1804-1805, 1881-1942
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0]
STAPPLE, n.2 A bundle of straw (or rushes) arranged like a sheaf, tied at one end and used for thatching houses or corn-stacks (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 436; wm.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Slg., wm., sm.Sc. 1971).Uls. 1804 J. Orr Poems (1936) 71:
Wee, wanton, little thought o' birdie! The stapple that sae lang has co'erd ye.Rnf. 1805 G. McIndoe Poems 66:
But Robin stappel's made, amaist As thick's a three-year-auld wean's waist.Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 47:
Rive thack frae aff my dwellin', An' whirl the stapples heigh in air.em.Sc. 1909 J. Black Melodies 171:
It is a sign of wisdom to mend a damaged roof promptly. A few "stapples," or stop-holes, will prevent a larger breach.Uls. 1942 E. E. Evans Irish Heritage 102:
The stacks are thatched with rushes, twisted into bundles known as "stapples" which are pushed into the straw.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Stapple n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Aug 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/stapple_n2>
