[f. CHAP v.]
1. The fissuring or cracking of the surface; a chap or crack.
1540. Raynald, Byrth Mankynde (1564), 53 b. Pushes, chappynges or chynes, which cause great payne.
1669. Worlidge, Syst. Agric., x. § 1 (1681), 205. Pave it very well with Flints which preserves the clay … from the chapping of the Wind or Sun at such times as the Pool is empty.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 244. Hair keeps the Mortar from Cracking or Chaping.
1860. F. Churchill, Midwifery (ed. 4), xxix. 668. Excoriation or ‘chapping’ [of the nipple].
2. Sc. Striking, knocking. Chapping stick, a stick to strike with, a weapon of offence.
[1657. Chopping-stick; see CHOPPING vbl. sb.]
1721. Kelly, Sc. Prov., 104 (Jam.). Fools should not have chapping Sticks.
1815. Scott, Guy M., I. vi. 90. But there is an old and true Scotch proverb, ‘Fools should not have chapping sticks’; that is, weapons of offence.
1823. Tennant, Cdl. Beaton, 117 (Jam.). An’ I but ance tak up a chappin-stick, I’d fain knap a crown wi’t, mair especially a rotten Papist’s.
