Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

‡SNAP, n.² The top layer or coping of stones on a Galloway dyke, set on their edges so as to taper upwards. Most freq. in comb. snap(-topped)-dyke, a wall of this construction (wm.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Kcb. 1970), snap-fence, id.Dmf. 1741 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. (1931–3)91:
59 roods of snap-dyke at 1/6 a rood.Rnf. 1763 Session Papers, M'Crae v. M'Farlane (25 May) 5:
A stone dike 5 quarters high, and a snap on top.Slk. 1794 T. Johnston Agric. Slk. 17:
They [dikes] are sometimes built with a snap, that is, the upper part, for a foot or two, of loose stones set on edge, leaving a small space between each, and tapering to a point at top.Gall. 1810 S. Smith Agric. Gall. 83:
The most common in the lower part of the country, are what are called snap, or snap topped dykes.Sc. 1811 J. Macdonald Agric. Hebr. 165:
The snap or summit, which is erected above the coping, must be most particularly well built.Gall. 1882 J. Douglas Bk. Gall. 18:
The special advantages of snap turf or sunk fences.