Sc. Obs. Forms: 5 gimp, 6 gymp(e, iymp, iimp. [Perh. connected with JIMP a.]
1. A minute or subtle point; a trifling distinction; a quirk, subtlety; a tittle.
c. 1470. Henryson, Mor. Fab., XII. (Wolf & Lamb), xvi. O man of law, let be thy subteltie, With nyce gimpis, and fraudis intricait.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, I. Prol. 124. For ane iymp or a bourd, I pray ȝou note me nocht at euery wourd.
1563. Winȝet, Wks. (1890), II. 15. To eschew al occasioun of wane stryfe … for Iimpis of Grammar or sik triflis.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., IX. 226. In the leist iot or iimp tha neuer brak the papes authoritie.
2. A trick, prank.
1572. Satir. Poems Reform., xxxi. 132. Nor with the hous of Guyis to mell, Quha is als godles as thair sell, And kens thair gymps, I trow.
Jimp sb.2: see JUMP sb.2
