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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Lake, Laik, n.¹ Also: laike, layk(e, laick(e; leik; leak. [Var. of Lak n.¹, with lengthened vowel, prob. after Lake, Laik v. (but cf. ME. (? once only, 15th c.) laak). (Cf. also the derivative Inlake n., Inlaik n.)Some, or possibly all, of the examples of the spelling lake under 2 and 3 below (which are uncommon in this spelling) may really belong with Lak n.¹: cf. the similar note to Lake v.]

1. Lack, want (of something necessary or desirable). Freq. for (also throw, in, be) laik of.(1) 1580 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 469.
The estate of tyme, and lake of present ordour for establisching … of Presbyteries 1585 James VI Ess. 18.
Of all that may the perfyte poems make, I pray you let my verses haue no lake c1590 Fowler II. 138/12.
Thow distrusteth theme ather by the want of there courage or by there lake of fidelitie(b) 1548–56 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXXIII. 44.
The want and laik of cunning men … to teche and reid within oure realme 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii. 325.
So laik of leuing … Cois mak the laik of multitude To serve into the ministrie 1584 Conv. Burghs I. 192.
In respect of the laik of tymmer amangis thame 1587 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 242.
Nor yit ony heritable title … is tane away be quhatsumeuir lenth of tyme or laik of possessioun 1603 Crim. Trials II. 320.
For the laik of sum honest man, in whom hartlie his M. might confyd 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. 163.
Be ressoun of my tender ȝeiris and laik of knawledge 1641 Acts V. (1817) 593/1.
For eshewing of the great hinder … be the occatioun of laik of guid governement 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 351.
Pairtlie by the effects, and pairtlie by ther owne laik of secrecie(2) 1513 Doug. vii. ii. 26.
Ne spar thai not … for lake [v.rr. lak, laik] of met, Thar fatale four nukit trynschour forto eyt 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary I. 101.
The Quenes Majestie of Englandis mynd was there alienated from us for lake of due information 1570 Leslie 7.
[Unable] to exerce my time in divine study of the scriptures … for lake of buikes 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix. 140.
For lake of lederis thair thay wrocht in uane a1570-86 Maitl. F. clvi. 7.
All is lost for lake of stedfastnes 1638 Baillie I. 42.
In our roume we could scarce gett our countenance keeped for lake of purpose 1641 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I. xxxi.
That all goldsmyth work should be of the standard of fynnes bot that it is vtherwyse for lake of ordor(b) (c1500-c1512 Dunb.) lxix. 10.
My hairt for langour dois forloir, For laik of symmer with his flouris 1531 Bell. Boece I. 76.
Ane huge pray of guddis, quhilk micht nocht be turst for laik of schippis 1533 Boece xvi. xi. 626 b.
The gret displesouris that fallis to us for laik of letteris and virtew in our princes 1565 Soc. Ant. VII. 450.
Thir psalmis and canticles … thir mony ȝeiris unbund, for layke of the Kynges armis drawing be maister Jhone Geddy 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 45.
This chamæleon quhether of sempilnes or for layk of foirsicht … could se no tressoun 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xl. 24.
Howbeit in hicht vnto the sky it rais, It was ouercum for laik of vprichtnes 1667 Highland P. II. 42.
The shouldiers might be overthrowen for laick of a captain 1675 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. IV. 497.
For laik of ane sufficient peir and heads there are severall banks of small stone and sand cast up(c) 1594 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 270.
Gif any day wes omitit quhairin we haif nocht doun sum necessar service, it wes only be our stey in Aberdein foir leik of silver(d) 1600-1610 Melvill 129.
For leak of information (3) a1568 Scott xiii. 16.
Throw laik of speich I thoill rycht grit distres 1598 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 168.
The gryt abvse croppin in the commoun meill mercatt … throw laik of diligent attendance 1625 Conv. Burghs III. 179.
Thai had sustenit sum los in thair ships … throw laik of ane beikin vpone the land 1633 Sc. N. & Q. Ser. . II. 118.
[The] kirk for mony yeiris heirtofore throw laik of glass wyndoes hes lyen waist(4) a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 152.
Realmes and lordschippis … Confiscat ar fra auld successioun, In lake of justice 1600-1610 Melvill 684.
Becaus the fault was in laike of executioune(5) 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 440.
The earldomes … fell divers times into the king's hands, … sometime by lake of succession 1655 Rothesay B. Rec. 6.
Patrik Campbell … considering himselff not to be of capacitie … be reasone of wanting learneing … quhilk be laick therof ware much to his prejudice

b. Erron. or irreg. use of for laik of. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 303.
The houssis that wer distroyit that moneth in Edinburgh for laik of fyre

c. An instance of lacking something, a shortcoming or inadequacy. 1570 St. A. Kirk S. 344.
[To] imput the laik unto them that tuik up the teindis and gaif nocht hym sic assistence [etc.]

2. a. Moral delinquency, fault, crime. b. ? A physical flaw or blemish. c. Offence, injury.a. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 657.
Rycht & resone wil that I That cesit neuir in syne to ly … For my lake be put awayb. Ib. ix. 50.
His hare that is crispe & blak & mylk-quhyt flesche but ony lakec. 1467 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 27.
The saide Thomas sall … do him alsmekle worschipe as he has done him lake 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 72.
I pray God tha com newer haym for layk he wald dow to owr sornem, qwelk sal not lay in hes power

3. A discredit or disgrace. = Lak n. 5. 15.. Clar. i. 205.
Had not beine ȝour honour and bewtie, Ȝon knicht, but faill, had riddin on this contrie Quhilk had beine to this realme ane lake [: undertake]