gowpenful Sc. and dial.
(ˈgaʊpənfʊl)
[f. gowpen + -ful.]
A ‘double handful’ (see gowpen 1).
| 1674–91 Ray N.C. Words 32 Gopingfull, as much as you can hold in your Fist. 1789 Davidson Seasons 13 Who for a knife Or penny whissle, will part wi' their gold In gopinfu's. 1852 Carlyle Let. in Froude Life in Lond. (1884) II. xx. 107 An old Russian countess yesternight sat playing Gowpanfuls of gold pieces every stake. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxiv. (1873) 193, I wudna gi'en a goupenfu' o' sheelocks for yer chance. 1887 J. Service Life Duguid ix. 53, I myself have gathered a gowpenful of flinty arrowheids on the sands of Ardeer. |