Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Silkin, adj. Also: -ine, -ing, -yn(e, -en, sylkyn, selkin. [ME and e.m.E. silken (14th c.), selken (a1400), early ME also seolkene, OE seolucen, seolcen; Silk(e n.]

1. Made of silk. (Silk(e n. 1.)(a) a1400 Leg. S. xvi 311.
Thu in … silkine clathis lyis ful softe ?1438 Alex. ii 2170.
On silkin carpets sat doun ilkane c1420 Wynt. i 986 (W).
Silkyne 1488 Acta Conc. I 98/1.
A silkin dun tuscha of siluer 1522 Perth Hammermen 20.
Silkin ribanis 1530 Balmerino and L. Chart. ii 32.
Sylkyn 1531 Bell. Boece I 248.
Mantil bordorit with gold and silkin flouris 15.. Lichtoun Dreme 64.
Silkin schakillis 1556 Dundee B. Ct. III fol. 41 (27 March).
Ane silking hat 1566 Treas. Acc. XII 35.
Silkin buttonis a1568 Scott iv 82.
Moir gentrice is to jott Vndir ane silkin goun Nor [etc.] 1568 Edinb. Test. I 215.
Silken a1585 Maitl. Q. 230/119.
Thay man be buskit vp lyik bryidis, Thair heidis heisit with silkin saillis 1586 Treas. Acc. MS 59b.
Stark silkin points to hald doun the covering to the girdis [of a saddle] c1590 J. Stewart 76/136.
Hir gowldin hairs intraist In silkin threid 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 172.(b) 1576 Digest Justiciary Proc. I 21.
Ane blak bannot … with selkin lais drawin throw the lippis thairof

2. fig. or transf. a. Resembling silk, soft, silky. b. Of a person's manner of speaking: Soft, smooth, flattering, false.a. 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 129.
The balmy vapour from thar [sc. lilies'] silkyn croppys Distilland hailsum sugurat hunny droppysb. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2922.
Ane silkin toung, ane hart of crueltie a1500 Henr. Fab. 2848.