Forms: α. 1 cnæpp, cnepp, 1–2 cnæp, 6 knappe, (knape), 7 knapp, 6– knap, (7, 9 nap). β. knop. [OE. cnæp(p, top, summit (of a hill); perh. cognate with ON. knapp-r knob, head of a stick, button, etc. (see KNOP sb.1). Irish, Gael. and Welsh cnap, knob, knop, boss, button, lump, knap, hillock, knoll, may be from Norse or Eng.]
1. The head, crest or summit of a hill; a small hill, hillock or knoll; a rising ground; a short steep ascent. Chiefly dial. (Cf. KNOB sb.2, NAB.)
α. c. 1000. Ælfric, Exod. xix. 20. Drihten eode uppan þæs muntes cnæp.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke iv. 29. Hiʓ … læddon hine ofer ðæs muntes cnæpp.
1538. Leland, Itin., I. 109. The Castelle … standith … on the very Knape of an highe Hille, stepe up eche way.
1600. F. Walker, Sp. Mandeville, 102 b. Three men setting vp a poast, vpon a little knap close by the high-way.
1685. 1st Cent. Hist. Springfield (1899), II. 176. To the first Pine Tree upon the knap or Hill by Stony Brooke side.
1778. Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), s.v. Knebworth, Its situation is on a hill or knap, from whence it has its name.
1876. T. Hardy, Ethelberta, II. xlvi. 235. ‘Now where’s the inn?’ said Mountclere…. ‘Just on the knap,’ Sol answered.
1887. Cycl. Tour. Club Gaz., 215/2. With the exception of a steepish knap on leaving the Doubs Valley,… the road was good and nearly level.
1893. ‘Q.’ [Quiller-Couch], Delect. Duchy, 19. A … pathway … winding … around the knap of a green hill.
β. a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 136. The toune of Auraunches, standyng upon the knop of an hill.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 62. There remained yet a little knop aboue them … where the enemies guards did sit.
2. fig. Knap of the case (obs. Rogues’ Cant), the head or goodman of the house. [Doubtfully placed here.]
c. 1550. Dice-Play (Percy Soc.), 29. The knapp of the case, the goodman of the house calleth secretly unto him the third person. Ibid., 34. A reward unto her by knap of the case, & the cut-throats his accomplices.
