Literary notes about Knap (AI summary)
The word “knap” assumes a variety of roles in literature, shifting in meaning according to context. In many works it designates a topographical feature—a hill or mound—from which characters observe or depart, as seen in phrases like “upon the knap” on high ground [1, 2, 3, 4]. In other texts it forms part of compound terms such as “knap‐sack,” underscoring a practical, travel-related function, whether it's carrying provisions or military gear [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. As a verb, “knap” conveys the act of striking or breaking with a sharp impact, a sense vividly captured in expressions that highlight abrupt, forceful action [10, 11, 12]. Finally, the term enters the narrative as a proper name or nickname, lending an archaic local flavor to characters or locations [13, 14, 15].
- And 'tis on the knap afore the old captain's house at Mistover.
— from The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy - On the knap of the hill the Major turned for a last look.
— from The Mayor of Troy by Arthur Quiller-Couch - "A bit of a nip" they call the sharp road on the way to Lansallos, by which you see that the old word "knap," for a hill, is degenerating.
— from The Cornish Coast (South), and the Isles of Scilly by Charles G. (Charles George) Harper - The Quiet Woman Inn was visible on the low margin of the heath in one direction, and afar on the other hand rose Mistover Knap.
— from The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy - He planned to load his knap-sack upon it.
— from The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War by Stephen Crane - Lord Mountclair had me on the telephone, last night—" "Also a good, heavy walking-stick, Baxter, and a knap-sack."
— from The Money Moon: A Romance by Jeffery Farnol - He went to his room, strapped on his heavy knap-sack, and came down stairs.
— from Veronica by Johanna Spyri - In my knap-sack I had water, hard tacks and other food."
— from Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States, From Interviews with Former SlavesVirginia Narratives by United States. Work Projects Administration - When we first started from Thomasville one of the guards came up to me and said, 'Yank, I want you to carry this knap-sack.
— from The Dispatch Carrier and Memoirs of Andersonville Prison by William N. (William Nelson) Tyler - Also, a blow or correction, as "you'll knap it," for some misdeed.
— from The Sailor's Word-Book
An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by W. H. (William Henry) Smyth - [79] —knapp'd ginger, ; To knap is to break short.
— from Shakespeare's play of the Merchant of Venice
Arranged for Representation at the Princess's Theatre, with Historical and Explanatory Notes by Charles Kean, F.S.A. by William Shakespeare - Knap , v. to snap, break with a noise, SkD; imp.
— from The United States Bill of Rights
The Ten Original Amendments to the Constitution of the United States by United States - At Groton, a spirit controlling the form of Elizabeth Knap, in 1671, made avowal that he was “a pretty black boy, and not Satan.”
— from Witchcraft of New England Explained by Modern Spiritualism by Allen Putnam - The sellers of herbs … shall stand from Knap Hall towards Quatervois.
— from Extracts Relating to Mediaeval Markets and Fairs in England by Helen Douglas-Irvine - Knap’s Independent Pennsylvania Battery “E” supported Mansfield’s corps.
— from Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland by Frederick Tilberg