A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Blek, Bleck, n. [e.m.E. blecke, ME. blek, bleke, ON. blek (OE. blæc) ink.]
1. Blacking for leather. Also attrib. with stoup, tub.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. i. 526.
With blek my face thay bruik c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvii. 59.
He [the souter] about the Devillis nek Did spew agane ane quart of blek Ib. xxxiv. 34.
Thow sairis of blek 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 176.
A blek tub furnyst a1585 Polwart Flyt. 765.
Spew bleck, widdie neck 1597 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I. 390.
A blek stoup full of blek 1618 M. Works Acc. XV. 66 b.
For talloun to tham [sc. saddles] and blek
2. fig. A black mark; a spot or stain.c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 82.
He wes banist and gat a blek 1535 Stewart 24869.
In his fame to put so foull ane blek Ib. 53858.
Ane trew ladie without blek or blame 1562-3 Winȝet I. 7/15.
Geue ony spote or blek be in the … ordination of our pastores 1596 Dalr. I. 216/26.
Na blek … of paganisme nor ony vthir secte Ib. 319/21 , etc.
Innocentlie fylte with sa foul ane blek
