skene dhu

skene dhu (plural skene dhus or skenes dhu)

1. Alternative spelling of sgian dubh
   • 1823, [Walter Scott], “The Bohemians”, in Quentin Durward. , volume I, Edinburgh: [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 129:

     [Y]oung Durward sprung lightly as the ounce up into the tree, drew from his pouch that most necessary implement of a Highlander or woodsman, the trusty skene dhu, and, calling to those below to receive the body on their hands, cut the rope asunder in less than a minute after he had perceived the exigency.

   • 1871, Henry Kingsley, chapter XVI, in Old Margaret. , volume II, London: Tinsley Brothers, , →OCLC, page 236:

     "Will you give me his name?" said Macgregor, "for we have skene dhus in this country." / "His name is John Van Eyck," said Van Dysart; "but as you are never likely to meet him, you can keep your skene dhu in your stocking."

   • 1890 October, A. P. Skene, “Notes on the Origin of the Name, Family, and Arms of Skene”, in Scottish Notes and Queries, volume V, number 5, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire: D. Wyllie & Son, , published 1891, →OCLC, section III (Origin of the Arms (continued)), page 86, column 1:

     When I first saw engravings of these seals, I took Patrick's to bear the Skene coat, as always known since—three skenes, points upwards, bearing three wolves' heads. The blades show but little, but this could well be, even with skenes dhu, if they were pushed right up to the skull: the heads, however, are far too small.

• skene-dhu