hirple

English

Etymology

A word of unknown origin, first recorded in Scots sources from the late fifteenth century; but probably from Old Norse herpast (“to suffer from cramp”) the middle voice verb. Compare the Icelandic herpa (“to contract, to draw together”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈhəːpəl/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)pəl

Verb

hirple (third-person singular simple present hirples, present participle hirpling, simple past and past participle hirpled)

1. (intransitive, Scotland, northern UK) to walk with a limp, to drag a limb, to walk lamely; to move with a gait somewhere between walking and crawling.
   • 1922, John Buchan, Huntingtower,

     Get you on that bicycle and hurry on, and I'll hirple after you the best I can.

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Scots

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhɪrpl/

Verb

tae hirple (third-person singular simple present hirples, present participle hirplin, simple past hirpled, past participle hirpled)

1. to limp, walk with a limp