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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Stek(e, Stik, v.¹ Also: steik, stiek, stike, stikke, styk(e. P.t. stekit, -yt, steykyd, stikit, -et, stikkit, -yt, stickit, -et, -ed, stykkit, -yt, stok(k)it, stak, stake, stakke, stack(e, staik, stuck. P.p. stekit, -yt, -yd, steikit, steickit, stikit, stikkit, -at, stickit, -ed, stokkit, stakit, stuck, stik(k)in, sticken, stykin, stokin, -yn, stuikin, stuckin, -en, stuckne. [ME and e.m.E. stike(n (Ancr. R.), stik (Cursor M.), steke (c1320), styke (Manning), stick (1422), styk(k)yn (Prompt. Parv.), steek (1535). P.t. stiked (Layamon), stak (Rolle), stekede (Chaucer), stykked (1395), stakk (c1400), stake (c1407), stickyd (1422), stack (Malory), stocke (Tindale), stucke (a1548). P.p. stiked (Cursor M.), ystiked, istekid (both Chaucer), stoken (Trevisa), steke (14th c.), istoke (a1400), steked (c1450), stycked (1529), steekid (1573), stacke (1575), stucke (1586), stick'n (1655), OE stician, MLG, MDu. stikken weak verb, ultim. f. Teut. root *stik fallen together with OE *stecan (*stæc, *stec-), OFris. steka, LG., Du. steken f. *stek (*stak, *stæk-) strong form altered from the same Teut. root. Also in the later dial.]

1. tr. To stab or pierce (a person or animal) (with a pointed weapon or other implement), to injure or, freq., to kill by this means. Also to stik to dede.Also const. to ly stekit. Also, throw (in) the body, etc.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. xiii 70 (E).
He … ruschyt amang thaim … Stekand [C. strikand] thaim sa dispitously c1475 Wall. i 197.
To cutt his throit, or steik [1570 stik] hym sodanlye, He wayndyt nocht c1475 Wall. iv 455.
Stern hors thai steik, suld men of armys ber(b) c1420 Wynt. vi 1076.
The tend part thai kepyd qwyk; The lawe thai wald all sla and styk [W. stik] c1515 Asl. MS I 209/16.
Quhen ilkane of ȝou stikkis & gorris vther than ȝe call thai sanctis [etc.] 1533 Boece 241b.
Sum parte of Britons hering Conane speik in this sorte, vehementlie contrare him commovit … and with knyiffis inflicting mony grevous woundis, stik kill him to dede 1535 Stewart 25412.
Quhen he ane taikin maid, That euerie man … Suld stik his marrow in the tyme to deid 1558-66 Knox I 226.
Thei wald not only hear messe everie day, but that thei wald help to say it, provided that thei mycht stick the preastis 1603 Moysie 41.
Armit men … sould … tak … the king and kill and stik and hang all thame that [etc.] 1588 Sc. Ant. V 105.
To cause his gard stik the Dvc of Guise vnder trest 1623 Elgin Rec. II 180.
He had rather tak his avin durk and stick himselff a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1587.
They are tyred of their life wald gie a plak to stick them 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 4 Feb.
The said Helene did sweare that shoe sould stick John Sprotp.t. 1375 Barb. x 689.
Thai that fellyt or stekyt war Hidwysly gan cry and rar c1420 Wynt. iv 507.
Thar thai thaime stekid [W. stekit thaim as scheip] in thare slepe And slwe thame downe as thai war schepe c1475 Wall. iv 255.
His men entryt, … In handis hynt, and stekit of the layff. Wallace commaundede thai suld na wermen saiff c1475 Wall. v 1107.
Wallace braid out his suerd … In to the breyst the bryme captayne he bar, Throuch out the cost, and stekit him to ded 1513 Doug. ix vi 60.
He stekit [Ruddim. stikkit] hes eik … Twa forcy men(b) 1535 Stewart 23829.
Tha stikkit him in his bed quhair he la 1570 Sat. P. x 185.
Syne schot him furth quicklie amang his fois, Quha stickit him, withouttin proces moir 1596 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1910) 38.
The said John Gladstainis stiket John Purdie at the table 1596 Dalr. I 258/12.
His wyfe, … stikit him in his sleip 1596 Dalr. I 271/20.
Sticket 1600 Reg. Privy C. VI 97.
[They] maist crewellie, barbarouslie and mischeantlie stickit thrie oxin and tua hors(c) 1596 Dalr. II 46/31.
Robert Grahames hand, quhilk sa cruellie stak the kingp.p. (1) 1375 Barb. xii 507.
Wer stedis stekit mony ane c1420 Wynt. iv 813.
And sum wytht wowndys waknyd ware … And sum thare stekyd [E.² stikit] stakarand stud c1420 Wynt. viii 3483.
The cry Off men that slayne and stekyd [E. strikin] ware 1513 Doug. xi xvii 33.
Eschape thai nocht … Bot in the portis ȝaldis vp the breth stekit amyd thar native wallys a1538 Abell 75b.
His end wes ewill for he wes hingit and stekit 1604 Dundonald Par. Rec. 53.
Jhon Dook … haueing tua milk ky … the ane of thame beand stekit, that kov wald not be handilit to geif milk twa or thrie dayes(b) 1549 Compl. 134/23.
I prayt to the goddis … to send him schort lyif dais than sune there eftir he vas stikkit in his secret chalmyr 1549 Compl. 27/14.
That samyn boreau is stikkit or hangit eftiruart for his cruel demeritis 1550 Jervise Memor. Angus & Mearns I 152.
Stuart o' Inchbraick had him stickit, And out gushit this fat lurdane's bluid 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 312.
The admirall, efter he wes stickit, he wes harlit throw the toun, and thairefter hangit 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 1090.
Beleiving it had bene blood he bled, Cryand out, harmesay, he was stickit 1600 Acts IV 207/1.
Gif I had nocht bene thair the king had bene twyse stikit this nicht 1613 Elgin Rec. 136.
Gif he knew that Elspet Cuming hed witched him he suld … burne hir in hir avin fyr, althoch he suld be stikkat ther 1639 Kirkcaldy Presb. 141.
He having stickit ane swine [etc.] 1651 Johnston Diary II 70.
I could not live in the countrey; and … if I had been their … I had certaynly been sticked 1669 Sc. Ch. Hist. Soc. Rec. IX 115.
John Cockburne … said if any came to take his wife to the jogs he should gar the best of them ly and he should either stick or be sticked first(c) 1472–3 Prestwick B. Rec. 21.
He … drew his knif … and walde haf stikin hym(2) c1475 Wall. iii 386.
Felle frekis … war fellyt … lay stekit in the streit 1535 Stewart 27296.
Mony ane … la steickit wnder steid 1535 Stewart 9654.
Steikit(b) a1500 Sir Eger 221.
My steed lay sticked a little me fro 1535 Stewart 8576.
Mony ane la stickit in that steid, With woundis wyde sair bleidand to the deid 1535 Stewart 21665.
Steidis la stickit stark deid on the grund a1578 Pitsc. (1728) 85.
They fand … a dead man lying sticked c1590 Fowler II 30/12.
Culd thy brother … absolue him from the cruel murther of the Kings Gudschir quhen he … lay stikkit in a gutter?(2) pres. 1513 Doug. ix viii 82.
O ȝe Rutilianys, steik me with ȝour brandis … Do swak at me ȝour dartis all atanys(b) c1420 Wynt. iii 50.
Gore … ran tyll his hand That wytht hys suerd was hym stykand 1533 Boece 277.
Euery Saxoun … suld secretelie bere ane knyfe, quhare with … he suld incontinent stik the Briton that to him was nixtp.t. 1375 Barb. viii 321.
The kingis men … With thair speris … Stekit men and stedis bath 1375 Barb. x 416.
He … stekit him vpward vith ane knyff, Quhill in his hand he left the liff c1420 Wynt. iv 1076.
Steykyd c1475 Wall. v 1021.
With a knyff he stekit him to dede 1492 Myll Spect. 295/24 (see (3) below).(b) 1535 Stewart 27125.
Tua … Pechtis on hors … huvand by … With thair speiris him stickit 1577 Reg. Privy C. II 608.
The saidis personis … with thair drawin swerdis hocht and stickit the saidis four horssis 1596 Dalr. II 351/18.
M. Lord Sempil … mouet with angre … with a quhingre stiket M. Lord Sanchar Chreichton 1600 Reg. Privy C. VI 224.
[He] with ane fork stickit and slew [a ewe belonging to the pursuer] 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 107.
Six shouldiers … almost sticked and thrust me throw with halberts beneath the short rib(c) 1533 Boece 256.
With dartis and speris [they] stokkit him throw the bodyp.p. 1533 Boece 398b.
That thare vnhappy sawlis … be revin in hell, roistit, stikkit with knyvis [etc.](b) 1533 Boece 617.
Apoun the brig of Danskin he was stokkit with ane swerd and slane(c) 1513 Doug. ii viii 98.
The formaste haue thai stokyn And slane with swordis(3) 1460 Hay Alex. 1605.
Throw the body he lay stikit c1475 Wall. ii 107.
Wallace … Throuch out the body stekit him to dede 1492 Myll Spect. 295/24.
Scho stekit him in to the wame with hir scheris 1513 Doug. ix ix 42 (Sm.).
Sum stekyt throu the cost with spilis of tre Lay gaspand 1533 Boece 256 (see (2) p.t. (c) above). 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 107 (see (2) p.t. (b) above).

b. To impale (a person) on a pointed weapon. c1420 Wynt. viii 5598.
[They] stekyd hym on his awyn spere And off that wounde sone deyde he c1475 Wall. viii 595.
Schyr Rawff Rymunt was stekit on a sper 1513 Doug. iv xii 40.
Tharwith, gan hir seruandis behald Hir fallyn and stekit on the irne cald

c. absol. To slaughter. 1535 Stewart 9673.
To cut throttis, to stob, to stik and gor 1633 Falkirk Par. Rec. I 83.
By carrying of ane drawen sword throw the toun threatening to stick and gor if they red not the way to him

d. In asseverations.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxxiv 72.
The devill mot stik him with a knyfe, Bot he kest vp fair syisis thre 1529 Lynd. Complaynt 237.
The Deuyll stik me with ane knyfe Bot [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 46.
Nor I be stickit with ane knyfe [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 730.
The diuill stik me gif this be I 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3294.
The diuill sowld stik me with a knyf And evir I come agane in Fyfe 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 52. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2738. 1551 Acts II 485/1.
Sweirand … be … Deuill stick … and sic vthers ugsume aithis 1595 St. A. Kirk S. 798.
Sche … said to hir mother, The devill stik hir(2) 1658 R. Moray Lett. 178.
& would not that gar a man stick his own mare?

e. In Doug.: To slaughter (animals) chiefly or only as part of a sacrificial or funeral rite.(1) 1513 Doug. viii x 105.
With cowpys full in hand for sacryfys … The swyne stekit brytnyt sone and slane [etc.] 1513 Doug. xiii ii 11.
Sacrifice He ordand has … Eftir the ryte and vsans of thar land The ȝyng oxin gan thai steik and sla(2) 1513 Doug. xi v 39.
Thai steik the beistis, and swakkis in the fyre 1513 Doug. xiii vi 223.
And tydy ȝyng oxin steik thai fast, And in the funerall fyris dyd thame cast

f. Of an animal: To gore (another) with its horns. 1579 Inverness Rec. I 271.
Hes lattin tuay kye of myne be stikkit wyth the hornis of vther gudis in fault of hyrding

g. With the weapon as subject. c1420 Wynt. ii 1176.
Haylstanys … That [ma] persyt in that schoure than swerdys stikkyt in that stoure 1513 Doug. ix vii 140.
The swerd wightly stokit [Ruddim. stokkit], … Throu owt hys cost: … That mylk quhite breist is persyt to the hart

2. To damage (a thing) as if by piercing. 1538 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 192.
This inquest ordines our bailyeis … to sers and se quha hes brokin and steikit our kyngis streit

3. intr. Of a thing: To thrust or pierce in (into). Also reflex. ?1438 Alex. i 2567.
He was sa stoutly laid to ground That his helme stikkit in the grene ?1438 Alex. i 2695.
The helm in erd it stikkit sua That neir the nekbane ȝeid in tua 1542 Prot. Bk. Sir Wm. Corbet 3.
In witnes quhairof the said Johne and Thomas has oblyst tham be thair trewthis in thair bodyis and handis stakit in wtheris 15.. Sym & Bruder 15.
Twa bewis of the birk Weill stobbit with steill I trow To stik in to the mirk 15.. Clar. iv 2065.
Ane arrow stake into his schoulder deipereflex. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 210.
When the walles all was mayd Befor that it the covering had A ferly token of the heven Inne-to it doune descended even … Stakke the seluen in the wall

b. tr. To place (a mark) in a situation. 1513 Doug. v iii 51.
In this place stykkyt heth the prince Ene A mark or wyttir of a greyn aik tre

c. To stik one's eyne in (a person), to subject to a piercing gaze. 1456 Hay II 110/16.
Scho stykkit hir eyne in a man as scho wald throu lukand perse him with her sycht

d. intr. To stik doune one's fute, to put down or place (one's foot) as a sign or pledge. c1500 Barounis Lawis 6a.
And gif he has na borrowis redy he ma stik doune his fute and say Heir I sett doune my fute quhill I find borrowis

e. To stik out, to protrude. 1591 Crim. Trials I ii 246.
Ane mekill blak man, with ane blak baird stikand out lyke ane gettis baird 1596 Dalr. I 15/34.
A riche monaster … walled round about aboue a myle of gate, stiking and standeng out verie fair images and verie mony of thame 1600-1610 Melvill 50.
Sitting down on a bedsyde, he keaves bak ower, sa that his feit stak out stiff and dead a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1811.
Ye have eatin a meir all to the taill, and that sticks out at your chin

4. To remain fixed. a. Of a weapon or other pointed object: To remain with its point embedded in or fixed throw (a thing, a persons's body, etc.), also, apon the (weapon's) point. Also const. fast.pres. c1420 Wynt. iii 47.
He … leyffyt it [sc. the dagger] stekand in his belch c1420 Wynt. viii 5240.
On his helme his fute he set, And … owt can aras The trownsown, that thare stekand [W. stykand] was ?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 255.
Ane vthir part of thame brak and baid stikand in the woundis 1513 Doug. iv ii 46.
Bot evir the dedly schaft stykkis in hir syde 1513 Doug. iv ix 48.
Ȝon mannys sword, quhilk that wikkyt wight Left stykand in our chawmyr 1513 Doug. xii xii 190.
Eneas … castyng speir … apon the poynt was stykand heir 1531 Bell. Boece I 205.
Thay left the staf stikand throw his body 1533 Bell. Livy I 146/7.
Thir dartis fast stekand in his targe 1643 Davidson Rowan Tree 31.
The said … mark betwix her schoulderis in the quhilk he did thrust ane lang preane, the quhilk preane abaid stiking thrie quarteris of ane hourp.t. 1513 Doug. x xiii 88.
Hys leg quharin the schaft stak [Ruddim. stake] c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 540.
The trencheour of the squyeris speir Stak still into Sir Talbartis geir 1538 Lynd. Justing 50.
With that straik … His swerd stak fast, and [he] gat it neuer agane

b. Of things or persons, parts of the body, etc: To remain fixed in (vndir) (a location), to be set fast, to remain immovable in (mud, pitch, etc.). Also fig. Also, once, with fig. implication of reliability or constancy.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1085 (Bann.).
The woll, the flesche ȝit stikkis in thy teth [Ch. on thy teith] a1500 Henr. Fab. 1357 (Bann.).
A row of paper in his hand … A swannis pen stickand vndir his eir a1500 Seven S. 892.
Quhasa … come throw the wall In that depe hole behufit to fall And in a caldron full of pik Neidforce thar behufit him stik a1500 Seven S. 897.
In the caldron [of pik] … Thar stak he still & mycht nocht steire 1513 Doug. x vi 30.
Thar stammys tuke the bankis dry, And thar kelys stak in the slyke fast by 1533 Bell. Livy I 136/11.
This multitude of quhete discending throw Tiber abaid and stak stil in the schald wattir thareof 1535 Stewart 40625.
The breid … in his hals … stak so fast … it wirreit him to deid a1538 Abell 36a.
The laif of thame fled throw the wattir of Dwyn & mony of thame stak in the clay & wes slane c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1492.
The ark vpone the ground stak fast 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2881. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 277 (L).
Ane fysche fanggit in the net … With wreisting and thrysting, the faster stykis scho 1596 Dalr. I 42/31.
Thir [skepis] quhen thay lay in the furdes and waterdames that fast thay stik in the sand, than with al facilitie thay fishe 1629 Boyd Last B. (1629) 260.
While our feete stacke fast in the myre c1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 598.
Falling from his horse, his fute stak in the stirrup 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 73.
The fellow took the head of it [sc. a viper] in his mouth and … bit it of its neck and over his throat with it, rubing his throat griveously for fear that it stake theirfig. c1616 Hume Orthog. 2.
My harte laggared on the hope of your majestie's judgement … if the way might be found to draue your eie … to take a glim of a thing of so mean contemplation and yet necessarie. Quhiles I stack in this claye it pleased God [etc.] 1624 Crim. Trials III 586.
For as ȝit the flesche whilk the ancient Scottis swallowed stikis in the jawis and teith of the courtioures quhairby thay ar provoikit to suche ane insatiable avarice and intollerable pryde(2) a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxvii 3.
Quhill it wes quick, I wot ȝe never kneu A harte more treu within a stomok stik, Till tym the prik of jelousie it sleu

c. To stik in one's (awyne) handis (hande), to remain one's own responsibility, to belong to oneself, or remain as one's possession. 1457 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 319.
The … assis determyt at the said Iohn … suld vprycht the said Janet for the spylling of the twa pert of the clath and the thrid pert to stik in hir awyne hande 1582 Cochran-Patrick Coinage I 104.
Swa that thair proffitt of the cunyehous at that tyme was better to thame than ony other merchandise to haue stuikin in thair handis

d. Of a thought, feeling, etc.: (To continue) to affect one deeply, to have a long-lasting or deep influence on (in) (one's mind or heart). Also const. fast. Also to stik to one's stomak.(1) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Prol. Rom. 327/4.
That traist is sua suirly grundit ande stykkis sa fast in our hartis that a man wald not doutht of it 1596 Dalr. I 296/15.
For seing ȝe, my souerane, sa hard stickis in my breist, and bydes in the boddum of my harte that neuir was ony thing to me mair cheirfull 1596 Dalr. II 127/30.
Quhilk [answer] … stak fast in his awne mynd 1600-1610 Melvill 18.
The reiding of the storie of the Scripture that wintar, quhilk stak in my mind 1600-1610 Melvill 18.
The heiring of these things moved me, and stak in my heart(2) 1600-1610 Melvill 419.
Commissionars … wha apprehendit sic a feare of leying on of the handes … that it stak to thair stomak all that yeir efter-hend and was the occasioun of … antipathie … betwix the ministers … and the commissionars

e. Of the voice: To fail to be produced, to ‘stick in the throat’. 1513 Doug. ii xii 27.
Speke mycht I not, the voce in my hals swa stak 1513 Doug. iv vi 2.
Than Ene half mad and dum stude als Vpstart his hair, the voce stak in his hals

5. a. Of a thing, animal, etc.: To remain attached, adhere or cling to (on, about). Also fig.Some examples may belong in 13 a below. 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Haeres, to cleif or stik till [1617 to cleave or sticke still](1) 1513 Doug. iv viii 78.
The ilk tre, fixit fast, Stikkis to the rochis, not doun bet with the blast c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke x 11.
We wipe of aganes you the powder that stickis to vs of your citee 1533 Bell. Livy I 136/12.
With the huge glar and vthir stuff that stak thareto, it made ane ile in the myddis of Tyber 1596 Dalr. I 28/14.
A rouch rock or craig … [with] a dangerous hill towarde the north, ioyned thairwith and sticking thairto 1596 Dalr. I 62/19.
The hail peple … saw … mony thousandis of sik lytle foules stiking to the schip 1596 Dalr. I 340/15.
Alexander incloset the reliques … in a capsell … quhilkes quhen lychtlie thay war doune sett besyde the monument of Malcolme Canmoir … the capsell sa fast tostack … that the force of man culde neuir sindir thamefig. 1598 Melvill Propine 89.
Sinne That stickes vnto the measch and beane(2) a1500 Seven S. 1800.
Thai the foundement fand & brak Quhar on the myrrour stude & stak 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 239.
The lychtis … wer lyke mekle blak candillis, stiking round about the pulpett 1629 Dundonald Par. Rec. 293.
The sayd William came but the house with the knife in his hand quhairon the candle was stieking

b. Of a person: To remain loyal to, adhere ((un)to a belief, etc.); to attach oneself to (a person).(1) 1556 Knox IV 111.
The verie lyfe of man consisteth in God and in his promissis … unto the whilk whoso cleaveth and sticketh unfeanidlie sall leif the lyfe everlasting 1562-3 Winȝet II 51/20.
Tertullian … litil grippand and stikand to the Catholik doctrine 1635 Dickson Wr. 153.
[I] count it loss and hinder to stick to anything but Him 1644 Petrie Chiliasto-Mastix 42.
Neither doe these forecited Scriptures compell us … to stick unto the earthly sense of this text in hand c1650 Spalding II 232.
Putting them in rememberanss of there covenant … desyring thame constantlie to stik to the samen 1661 Baillie III 469.
At the beginning of the Parliament there were many brave designs for … more use of trade; but after much toome-talk, all seems to be vanished, the burroughs sticking absolutely to their old job-trot for their own hurt(2) 1587 Waus Corr. 387.
And geif ye ken that, ye ar bund be vret to Sandie McKee. I feir that he styke to yow be vret, and caus yow to varrand the take to him

c. To stik togither, to adhere or cling together; also fig. to remain loyal to each other, to make common cause. 1603 E. Melville Godlie Dreame 182.
Wee thristit throw, the breirs together stakfig. 1626 Linlithgow B. Rec. 28 July.
The saidis craftis stak togidder and skairslie wald be commanded be the magistrattis 1680 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. VI 576.
Let us … sticke togither and … in spight of the King and Councill it shall not carry

d. fig. To persist in a point of view, to insist that (something be the case). 1643 Acts VI i 50/1.
Your commissioneres heire have instantlie wrged the payment of the haill bygaine arreares of the airmie and did peremptourly stick that at least thair may be presently delyverit four monethes pay

6. Of an animals ears or skin, also, once, of a person's arm: To remain attached to (with) (the rest of the skin, carcase or body).(1) 1566 Edinb. B. Rec. III 226.
[That] the saidis flescheouris … flay all thair scheipe in tyme cuming wp throw the haill craig to the luggis, sua that the lug steik with the skyn 1566 Edinb. B. Rec. III 226.
[Persons bringing animals to the market] … the hyd stikkand with the karkages 1570 Conv. Burghs I 21.
That the scheip skyn be flane to the horn, the cow and olxin hydis stykand to the bouk 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 407.(2) 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 89.
Sir John Cochran … wes so greatly wounded in his right arme that all the physitians … wer resolved to have cutt off his arme … but … the arme does yet stick to his body though useles

7. To remain in a position or place. 1513 Doug. ix ix 25.
Turnus … festynnyt the fyre hard to the towris syde Quhilk with the wyndis blast thar as it stak Vpblesyt in the burdis and the thak a1568 Sempill in Bann. MS 124b/48.
Than tak a bowstring and draw it doun betwene thame And gif it stickis it hes ane evill apperance 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 162.
His schip come never on the schalde, But stak still on the ancker halde 1596 Dalr. II 430/21.
An Inglis nauie to the number of xvj … schipis, … to the watter of Forth neir Leith this nauie thair stak still [L. in statione hæserat] ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1884) 49.
Ther is continually gettin stiking amange the roughe stains of the dyke fluikes, podlockes … and herings 1634 Haigs of Bemersyde 468.
I intend to fix about Delft before the 27th instant, and stick there till I hear from Scotland 1638 Haigs of Bemersyde 219.
The longer I stick here the more I consume myself in expense

b. fig. To pause, linger, dwell on a point of discourse. a1599 Rollock Wks. I 380.
Let us go fordward to the rest, ‘God hes reveiled them be his Spreit’ … Mark it, I sall stick sum thing on the wordis

8. Of a state of affairs, etc.: To stik with, to cause difficulty or annoyance, to worry (a person).1655 Johnston Diary III 12 (see 12 b). 1656 Johnston Diary III 53.
My wryting this much stak with me least it rubb upon my absteaning from wryting fully on Foursday 1678 Ravillac Redivivus 4.
I confess his want of the Irish language did stick with me 1693 Melville Chart. 228.
The only thing that might stick with some of estates … was least England should poure doun men upon them 1694 Fountainhall Decis. I 640.
Two things stuck with the Lords viz. [etc.] 1695 Douglas Corr. 285.
I see a letter of yours to my lord, which gives me very mellencolly thoughts … and that which meks it stik the more

9. To stik be (by). a. To remain in close proximity to. b. fig. To remain loyal to, to support.a. c1590 J. Stewart 69/157.
His brydle … Quhilk Roland hintit from his horse … Supposing … to cause him fall … Bot ȝit the vther be him stoutlie stakb. 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 828.
It plesit the authoritie Sum pensionis for to gif thame till And that induring his gude will? This is the greitest ground I se Quhilk is na tytill to stik be c1610 Melville Mem. 222.
In his beginning, full of aduersite, trew honest men stak be him because he wes religiously brocht vp c1610 Melville Mem. 361.
This new faction aspyring … to retean part of them that wer in court of before; wher ther wer dyuers conspyracies … And because they stak ouer lang be the court [etc.] 1639 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 271.
I trow ye should have stucken as hard by that cause as he 1646 Baillie II 371.
We shall be honest and sticke by our covenant … Hitherto we have stucke by our principles in many great and long tentations

10. Of an act or decree: To apply to (wpone) or to fail to apply against (a person). 1607 Inverurie B. Ct. 13 Oct.
And the same decreit to steik alsweill wpone the bailȝie dissobeyar as wpone ony persone of communitie a1633 Hope Major Pract. II v iv 63.
Ane act that the horneing direct for ingaddering of the taxatione shall not stick against the lords and members of the colledge of justice

11. Of an intention, action, etc.: To come to a halt, to fail to move forward. 15… Crawford Mun. Invent. II 61.
Quhan he sall find his cause stikand in the law he wil be better at poynt to take concord ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. II 256.
Ther projecte for to beate upp the Covenanters quarters at Turreff, … was lycke to have stuckne 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 255.
They were for present letters before the counsell bot that dackled; then for goeing on before the sessione. That lyes over also without any citatione as yet. Then they fell upon a sumar bill to the counsell that also stuck 1694 Annandale Corr. 90.
You may assure your self that your bussinesse will not stick at me but there is noe forcing things at this court

12. Of a person: a. To hesitate, scruple, be unwilling to do (something). Chiefly in negative construction. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4425 (Ch.).
Ȝe wald not stick to preife my graith With hobling of ȝour hippis 1569 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 152.
The parliament … stack to consent that the haill thrids sould be declarit to pertaine to the ministrie 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 85.
Thair ar sum that stick not to say, that the Quene was not onely hardy, bot alswa cruelly delt with 1584 Gowrie P. 28.
In case I had an assured promise of any [my] lief, I would not sticke to prove the deuice of the lettre 1600 Crim. Trials II 264.
Such truthlesse, shamelesse, and gracelesse assertions, they haue not sticked to proclame openly a1652 Dickson Psalms III 142.
The servants of God do not stick to confesse their faults … unto their own shame 1653 Binning Wks. 513.
A man accustomed to lying … will not stick to forswear himself 1675 Wodrow Hist. II (1829) 307.
That bitter and causeless enmity and spite ȝou haue not stuck to profess against me in Scotland 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose Pref. xv.
I … stick not to tell them … the world must know there was such a thing done

b. To refrain from acting or fail to act in regard to a cause or on account of a problem or difficulty. Const. at, (up)on or for. 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 44.
To get Dumbartan, I wald not stick for geir; and albeit I shuld give als meikill as Sir James Balfour gat 1571 Bann. Memor. 151.
I am compellit to stike vpoun many thingis farther then I wald vtherwayis doe 1576 Douglas Corr. 914.
The mater is of sa little importance, it is not mekle to be stucken at 1596 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. 118.
The onlie thing ye stikke at concerning Bukleuchis attempt is, that your honoure maye onlie be repaired thairin 1603 Moysie 129.
Maiteris thairof [wer] hardlie ressonit and stuckin at on ather sydes 1605 Edinb. Test. XL 274b.
Gif Johnne Stewart … will stik a thais comptis and daill hardlie thairanent, that I and myn stik als peceislie at the discharge of the reversioun 1605 Melvill 589.
Sic triffles can not stand nor [be] sticken upon quhen the substance of all is in sic perrel 1646 Baillie II 388.
In the Assemblie we were like to have stucken many moneths on the questions 1655 Johnston Diary III 12.
Wee had great debaytes about the juge and submission wheron they stak and wherof wee maid a report which I thought stak with our folk but they ar very loose 1655 Johnston Diary III 16.
I urged our refusal was on the grounds of conscience wherat themselves would stik if they wer of our jugment

c. Without construction: ? To fail to answer (an allegation). 1616 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 72a (26 June).
Thay [sc. the kirk session] referr it to the said James his awin aithe quhidder that sabboth he creawit his debtis or nocht quhairvpon quhill as he stikis the sessioune grantis him aucht dayis to adwys with his aithe

d. tr. To fail to carry out (a task). 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 37.
He caused one … feigne one of the dolfullest countenances that he could that he might draw Christ of him; but he tuise sticked it c1700 Pennecuik Poems 350.
A face, Would make a Dominie stick the grace

13. In causative uses. a. To fix or fasten (a thing) (in (apoun abone)) a position, also to stik up. Also, specif., to secure a spear by thrusting its point into the ground, also to stik downe. c1420 Wynt. iii 416.
Gyff scho wald bynd Sevyn harys … tyll a spykyn, And in the erde fast styk [C. steik, W. stik] it syne a1500 Sir Eger 1467.
He lighted on his foot and stood To ease his horse … His spear he sticked it was so lang, His shield upon his sadle hang. Syne drank of wine and made good chear a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 815.
Pilot wrait the titill … Jesu of Nazareth, of the Jowis king. Syne on the croce stak it vp abone his heid 1513 Doug. vi x 21.
At the entre, in hy The goldyn branch he stykkis [Sm. steikis, Ruddim. stekis] vp far and weill 1533 Boece 362.
The victouris apoun ane sting bure the kingis hede … and stak it apoun the hiest parte of the wall c1575 Balfour Pract. 491.
He may tak and cut off the heid of the geis and of the hennis, and stikth the nose in the ȝeird 15… Old Dundee II 184.
Stikkin up in the balks of the tolbuith amangs other tulȝears' whingers 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii 7.
Bot that battell may be swa remitted: that is, quhen they haue sticken downe their speres [L. cum fixerint lanceas suas]; the defender may grant the fault, & swa mak peace 1673 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 189 (20/22 March).
Affixing the samyn one ane cloven stick to be sticken up upon the grund

b. To cause to pierce, to thrust throw. ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 424.
Think how thai staik a naill throw his richt hand

c. To thrust on to or impale on (a point). 1513 Doug. i i 80.
Aiax breist persit, gaspand furth flawmand smoke, Sche with a thud stikkit on a scharp roke 1513 Doug. ix viii 24.
As thai stand ful dolorusly, thai se The twa hedys stikkand [Ruddim. stekand] on the speris c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1538.
Quhalis and monstouris of the seis Stickit on stobbis, amang the treis 1596 Dalr. I 273/3.
In this battel is Alpin takne … heidet: stukne on a stake and borne to Camelodun his heid

d. To cause to adhere, to fix on. 1526–7 Carnwath Baron Ct. MS 24a.
The candill vas stykin [ed. stykit] on ane post

e. ? To support, stick up for or ? to display in some sense related to a above. 1577 Reg. Morton I 102.
I ressauit ȝour writing schawing that my lord of Angus had steikkin vp the writing that I send to the Chancellair and red the same to the Kingis majestie and his counsale quha tuke weill with the same