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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.

SNIPPER, v., n. Also snipr, and unmetathesised form snirp-. Deriv. snipperi(c)k, snipprik, sniprek.

I. v. 1. tr. To pucker, to curl, to wrinkle, to shrivel, esp. of the face (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971). Ppl.adj. snipper(i)t, snip(pe)ret, snirpet, wrinkled, shrunken, wizened, lean, sharp, peaky (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.), esp. of the face; tangled up, ravelled.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (16 Oct.):
Bra' samples o' 'is views 'At's snippered up lek' simmit clews.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 106:
Snipperin up his nose twartree times.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi Da Trow 101:
We da reekin braand still stickin Streight atween his snippert lugs.

2. Fig. in ppl.adjs.: (1) sniprin, tart, snappish, cross (Sh. 1971); (2) snirpet, bad-tempered, peevish, surly (Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1971).(1) Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 19:
I says kinda sniprin-laek, “I don't see what consaern dat is o yours.”

II. n. 1. Something wrinkled, shrivelled, or tangled, a tangled knot (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Phrs. in a snipper, entangled (Ib.). Derivs.: (1) snipperie, shrivelled up, shrunken, as with cold (Sh. 1971); (2) sniprek, a tangle, a wrinkled condition, a wrinkling (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971); specif., a grim wrinkled face; also attrib., of a face, wrinkled, grim (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928).Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 247:
Lay a skin i' da bark an' see what a snipperick it gets within.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (24 Sept.):
Dere's me new shue in a snipprik.

2. A peevish mood, a surly temper (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1971). Deriv. sniprek, a churlish unpleasant fellow (Ib.).