sb. Sc. Also 6– kinsch, kinsh, 9 kench. [In sense 1, a parallel form to KINK sb.1: cf. benk, bench, etc. Sense 3 may be unconnected.]
1. A loop or twist on a rope or cord, esp. the loop of a slip-knot; a noose.
a. 1800[?]. Surv. Moray, Gloss. (Jam.), Kinsch, a cross rope capped about one stretched along and tightening it.
1808–80. Jamieson, Kinsch, the twist or doubling given to a cord or rope, by means of a short stick passed through it, in order to draw it tighter.
1828. Moir, Mansie Wauch, xix. 280. Having fastened a kinch of ropes beneath her oxters.
1844. W. Cross, Disruption, xxviii. (E. D. D.). I hae maist got my neck intil a kinch for my pains.
1861. M’Levy, Curios. Crime Edinburgh, Handcuffs, 29. I put his right hand into the kench.
2. fig. A catch, hold, advantage. ? Obs.
1635. D. Dickson, Pract. Wks. (1845), I. 78. Everyone seeking a kinsh of his neighbour.
a. 1800[?]. Surv. Moray, Gloss. (Jam.), Kinsch, an advantage unexpectedly obtained.
† 3. ? (One’s) lot. Obs.
a. 1600. Montgomerie, Cherrie & Slae, 1100. The man may ablens tyne a stot That cannot count his kinsch. Ibid., Sonn., xxxvii. I can not chuse; my kinsh is not to cast.
1606. Birnie, Kirk-Buriall (1833), 11. Our Heroik burials are oft led like a martiall triumphe … But alas, if in death we could count our just kinsh, we might rather dismay and feare.
Hence Kinch v. a. (see quot. 1808–18); b. to put a string-noose on the tongue of (a horse), in order to exercise control over it.
1808–18. Jamieson, To Kinsch, to twist and fasten a rope.
1864. Latto, Tammas Bodkin, xxvi. (E. D. D.). The tooth cud be easily pu’d oot by means o’ a rosety string, kinched roon the root o’t.
1891. Scot. Leader, 17 April, 3. The cruelty attached to ‘Kinching’ a pit pony … to hold that kinching in no cases should be resorted to.
