n.
‘shearer’
(Modern English )The ME n. clypper is formed on a v. which occurs elsewhere in NWGmc (apart from OE; cp. LG klippen, Fris klippen, klappen, kleppen), but its etymology is uncertain. Contamination from kippa, *knippa or klypa has been suggested (cf. Mag. and de Vries). The OED (s.v. clip v.2) posits identification with LG klippen 'to make a sharp sound', the application being transferred from the sound to the associated sharp actions and suggests onomatopoeic influence.
PGmc Ancestor
?*klipp-
Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)
klippa (v.) 'to clip'
(ONP klippa (vb.))
Other Scandinavian Reflexes
Far klippa, Norw klippa, Dan klippe, Sw klippa, Sw dial klöppa, Shetl klipp
OE Cognate
Phonological and morphological markers
Summary category
B2c
MED’s citations are predominantly, but not exclusively, N (in its sense (b) ‘sheepshearer’, N/EM); its earliest citation is (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1)). Later in more general dial usage (see OED, EDD).
Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus
Pe 802