Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

-OCH, suff. Also -ach, -(o)ich; -o(u)gh, -agh, -igh. [-ɔx, -əx]

I. Forming adjs.: 1. In direct borrowings from Gael. representing the common Gael. adj. suff. -ach, as in Etnach, Geenyoch, Glormach, Grannach, Sanshach;

2. With a modifying force = rather, somewhat, inclining to, suffixed to noun stems or simple adjs., e.g. gabach s.v. Gab, n.², Dainshach, or after such words already compounded, e.g. Crumshach, Glamshach, Minshach, Wilshoch, where -shach prob. represents -(i)sh + -ach; Glashtroch, glousteroich s.v. Glouster; where the other suffix is -(t)ie, -y, the -och suff. precedes, esp. common in adjs. of colour, = Eng. -ish, e.g. Bluachie, Greenichtie, Greenichy, Moorichie, Reidichie, Yalloch(t)ie. Cf. -Ock, suff.

II. Forming nouns: 1. In Gael. borrowings, as Bladdock, Claddoch, Coronach, Currach, Dalloch, Galdroch, Greeshoch (Gael. -ach); Pibroch (Gael. -eachd);

2. In Sc. words, on the analogy of Gael. or Ir., esp. freq. in n.Sc. and Gall. (see under (2)), rare in s.Sc.: (1) with the force of a collective or intensive, as Dossach, Fussoch, Glammoch, Gorroch, Hurloch, Mashloch, paipoch s.v. Paip, n., Smuddoch, Smushach, Squalloch, Toshoch, Yelloch; (2) specif. and freq. pejoratively: of things, implying abnormality, confusion or mess, or of persons with some physical, mental or moral defect, as Boytach, bulloch, Doyloch, Glauroch, Hushoch, Mushoch, Ruddoch, Slungoch, Splorroch; (3) as a second suff. after -le, -er, in forms -lach, -loch, -roch, as in Brashloch, Hashloch, Jabbloch, Knapplach, Spoutroch, Swattroch, Taploch, with meanings as in (2); (4) as a variant form of -Ock, dim. ending, q.v., in e.g. Goorach, n., drabblich s.v. Drabble, n., Knibloch, Knarlich s.v. Knar, jibblich s.v. Jibble, very common in ne.Sc.

III. Forming verbs: used to give intensive or iterative force, e.g. Dossach, grainach s.v. Grain, v., 2., flirdoch s.v. Flird, v., 2., Jossich, Lebbich, Spralloch, Squalloch, Warroch, Yelloch.