Also Sc. faiple. [Cf. Icel. flipi lip of a horse.]
† 1. The plug at the mouth of a wind-instrument, by which its volume was contracted. Obs. rare–1.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 161. Let there be a Recorder made, with two Fipples, at each end one; The Trunke of it of the length of two Recorders, and the Holes answerable towards each end; And let two play the same lesson vpon it, at an Vnison: And let it be noted, whether the Sound be confounded; or amplified; or dulled.
2. north. dial. ‘The underlip in men and animals, when it hangs down large and loose’ (Jam.). To hang a (the, one’s) fipple: to look disappointed, discontented, or sulky; also, to weep.
1805. A. Scott, Poems, 23 (Jam.).
| Ye didna ken but syle o’ kipple— | |
| Might be your fate, | |
| Or else condemned to hang a faiple, | |
| Some dowy get. |
1825. Brockett, N. Country Gloss., ‘See how he hangs his fipple.’
1892. Northumb. Gloss., s.v. ‘What a fipple!’—what a face you’re making.
3. dial. (See quot.)
1892. Northumb. Gloss., After stooks of corn remain standing for a time, the bottoms of the sheaves become naturally longer on the outside than the inside, which is called their ‘fipple.’
