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.
Quotation dates: 1521-1666
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Blok, Block, v. 2 Also: bloke, bloock. [Of obscure origin; perh. an alteration of late ME. broke (1496), Anglo-F. abroker, by association with Blok n.1 1 b.]
1. intr. To bargain; to engage in commercial transactions; to trade.In common use after 1580.1521 Grant Chart. 66.
Alexander … gettand the said Donaldis leife to blok with the samyn [land] 1548 Reg. Privy S. MS. XXII. 21.
That he … hant, frequent, and blok in marchandice throw all partis 1567 Acts III. 43/1.
Thair is diuers personis … , quhilkis … careis the samyn [plate] secreitlie in houssis and bartaris and blokis thairupoun 1583 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 797.
Eftir that he had long time blockit, With grit difficultie he tuik thame [sc. shoes] 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 67.
That na maner of persouns … bye or blok into the merkatt before the tyme of day appoyntet 1618 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs III. 64.
In caice ayther of theme sal happin to blok with the … stranger & buye the samin 1630 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 254.
If ye blok, be war of distressis on the land 1666 Decis. Lords G. 126.
Possession of such moveables, giving him such a right … to buy or block for them
2. tr. To acquire by bargaining.1569 Inverness B. Rec. I. 96.
He sall nocht by nor blok ony tymmer 1594 Dundee B. Laws 45.
In caice … be prevention he blok or buy any quantity of victuall fra any stranger 1636 Glasgow Chart. II. 596.
With speciall power … to buy, blok, top, and sell all soirt of wairis