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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

REAK, v., n. Also reek (Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 112; Ags. 1833 Angus Album 185; Kcb. 1890 A. J. Armstrong Musings 144); raek (Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 34), raeck (Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 52), raik (Wgt. 1904 J. F. Cannon Whithorn 35), rake (Per. 1871 Per. Constitutional (18 Oct.), Ork. 1929 Marw.), rekk (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., 1937 J. Nicolson Yarns 92), reck (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 184); reik (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 142; Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxi.); rike (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 191), ryke (Ayr. 1786 Burns Jolly Beggars Air 5. i., Per. 1879 Harp Per. (Ford 1893) 348), reyk [rek, †rik, †rəik; Sh. ræk]; v. pa.t., pa.p. reakit (Wgt. 1877 G. Fraser Sketches 364), reek'd, -t (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 176; Kcb. 1941 Gallovidian 11), reikd (Sc. 1724 Ramsay Ever Green (1875) I. 215); raekid, -it (Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 33), raikit, -et (Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore 164), rakid (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 39), rekkit (Sh. 1950 New Shetlander No. 20. 42), -et (Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 5), recked, -id, -it (Sh. 1897 Shetland News (29 May)); raucht (Ags. 1875 J. Watson Verse Samp. 98; e.Lth. 1903 J. Lumsden Toorle 260), raught (Sc. 1718 Ramsay Poems S.T.S.) I. 80; Ayr. 1786 Burns Halloween xvii., Mry. 1810 J. Cock Simple Strains 137), raugh'd (Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poems 70). [Sh. ′rækɪd; Sc. †rɑxt, rǫxt]. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. reach (Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 208; Wgt. 1877 G. Fraser Sketches 271; Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 100).

Sc. usages. For the meanings cf. also Rax.

I. v. 1. As in Eng. to draw forward with the extended hand, in Sc. used tr. or without modifying adv. (I.Sc., Kcb. 1967).Ags. 1833 J. S. Sands Poet. Effusions 81:
I'm sure that's her (wi' that he rikes't aff The rock) as clear as ony pikestaff.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 150:
I raekid a floo'r bannick, an' cleev'd him in twa.

2. tr. To stretch or extend between two points (Sh. 1967).Rnf. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 32:
As reak red raploch rungs 'tween seat an seat.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 191:
He sought for through-ban's that wad rike.

†3. intr. To arrive, come. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Pop. Ballads I. 219:
The Elf-King's daughter reekit bilive.

4. To deliver (a blow) (w.Sc. 1880 Jam.; Sh., Kcb. 1967). Rare and obs. in Eng. Hence derivs. reeker, a resounding blow; transf. something of unusual size or force (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); reekim, -um, reik-, rickam, a sharp blow (Abd., Fif. 1825 Jam.; Sc. 1911 E.D.D., rickam), a quarrel, riot (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 141), also as a v., to strike with a sharp blow (Id.).Abd. 1739 Caled. Mag. (1788) 504:
Rawght him a rap o' the forestamm.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 136:
To reach the allied powers a cuff.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (29 May) 499:
Aw wan 'im a reeker ahint the lug wi' my dooble neeve, an' felld 'im like an ox.

II. n. 1. = Eng. reach. Phrs.: in cry raek, within earshot, within hailing distance. See Cryreck; in spaekin raek, within speaking distance (Sh. 1967).Ags. 1831 Perthshire Advert. (27 Jan.):
An' I war ance within rike o' them.

†2. A blow (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.). Also in n.Eng. dial. Cf. Raucht.Sc. 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah lx. 10:
For ance, i' my wuth, I raught yo reyks.