skean dhu

American  

[thoo, doo] / ðu, du /

noun

1. a small knife tucked into or worn against the top of a stocking in the full dress of Highland Scottish males.

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skean-dhu British  

/ ˈskiːn-, ˈskiːənˈduː /

noun

1. a variant of sgian-dhu

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Etymology

Origin of skean dhu

First recorded in 1810–20, skean dhu is from Scots Gaelic sgian dhubh literally, “black skean”

Example Sentences

Angus, in short, although they had made him a clergyman, would, it was believed by those who knew him, have carried his skean dhu with him to the pulpit.

From Project Gutenberg

"Well, I tell you what it is, Angus," remarked his friend, banteringly, and still pertinaciously dwelling on the skean dhu, "I won't sit beside you to-night—I'll take care of that; no, nor within arm's-length of you either."

From Project Gutenberg

I parted with Eliza Stewart; and we never met again, as, in a few days afterwards, I left the island; and with this event terminated all connecting circumstances on my part with "The Skean Dhu."

From Project Gutenberg

During their combat, however, some of Macpherson’s gillies approached the spot; and Cameron perceived them nearing him with kindling eyes, and holding in their impatient hands the skean dhu half unsheathed.

From Project Gutenberg

From his belt depended some instruments, with the use of which Macpherson was entirely unacquainted; together with a skean dhu of exquisite and uncommon workmanship.

From Project Gutenberg