vbl. sb. [f. KNAP v.1 + -ING1.] The action of KNAP v.1; the action of striking or knocking; a. spec. a form of cheating in throwing dice (see quots., and cf. KNAP sb.2 3); b. in mod. local use, the action of breaking stones or flints.

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  a.  1680.  Kirkman, Eng. Rogue, IV. 226. Knapping, is when you strike one Die dead.

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1822.  Scott, Nigel, xxiii. Men talk of high and low dice,… topping, knapping, slurring.

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  b.  1835.  Carlyle, Lett., in Froude, Life in Lond. (1884), I. i. 24. Walk out of this if even into the knapping of stones.

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1887.  Magazine of Art, X. 406. The third process, or ‘knapping.’… Holding the flake or strip of flint with its face uppermost upon a ‘stake’ of iron [etc.].

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1892.  Daily News, 2 Dec., 6/1. There has never been a cessation of the Brandon flint ‘knapping.’

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  c.  attrib., as knapping-hammer, -machine, -tool.

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1785.  Burns, 1st Ep. to Lapraik, xi. Ye’d better taen up spades and shools Or knappin-hammers.

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1883.  Archæol. Cant., XV. 103. I have … discovered numerous flint hammers, and knapping tools.

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