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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ENK, n., v. Also ink, jenk, jink (Jak.). [(j)ɛŋk, (j)ɪŋk]

1. n.

(1) Nominal ownership, used esp. of young domestic animals belonging to children; a loan. Now almost obs. (Sh.¹⁰ 1950).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To gi'e ane (a bairn) de enk (jenk) o' a lamb, o' a chicken; to get de enk (jenk) o' a lamb or chicken; I ga'e him . . . de enk o' it.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
A'm gjaain ta gie dee dis piri lamb to be upo dy enk.

(2) A possession, something of one's own.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He is still a jenk, he is certainly not worth much, but still so much that one may put up with him as a sweetheart.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Hit wis no mukkel wirt, but wis still a enk.

2. v.

(1) To transfer something to someone's nominal ownership (Sh.¹¹ 1950).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I enked de lamb till her.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 144:
Wir auld freends at Wast Sannick hed a soo, an' whin shuu ferried, dey wir a pritty peerie fleckit een among dem, an' wirna dey inkid yon ting ta wir Janey.

(2) To acquire such ownership.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I'm enked a chicken.