Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Clink, Clynk, v. Also: clynke, clinck. [ME. clynke (Chaucer), Du. klinken.]

1. intr. To make a clinking sound. c1420 Wynt. i. 227.
He wes the fyrst at musyke fande Wyth hammerys clynkand on a stythy a1500 Henr. Orph. 287 (A).
Than Orpheus … Tuke owt his harpe, and fast on it can clynke c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 16.
Sa loud of cair the commoun bell sould clynk Ib. lxxix. 8.
Ȝe neid nocht … gar ȝour countaris clink … In the ressaueing of my soumes 1513 Doug. ix. xiii. 67.
Hys bos helm rang and soundyt, Clynkand abowt hys halfheddis with a dyn 1535 Stewart 9638; etc.
The clarions cleir clinkit as ony bell a1568 Pedder C. 38.
As he cumis brankand throw the toun, With his keis clynkand on his arme a1568 Bann. MS. 145 a.
Abowt hir beir na bell to clynk, Nor clerk sing lawid nor lerd c1590 J. Stewart 47/161.
His sourd so snell … did clinck and clak Ib. 223 § 93.
Vith schillest voce, loud clinkand as ane bell

2. To clink it, to sing or warble. 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 236.
The merl, the mavys, … Enforcyng thame quha mycht do clynk it best