A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Dirk, Dyrk, a. [ME. dirke rare variant (prob. assimilated to dirke Dirk v.) of derke, OE. deorc. The regular Sc. form, but appearing first in late 15th c.] Dark, in lit. and fig. senses.More frequently employed (esp. with nicht and clowd) by Douglas than by other writers.(1) c1475 Wall. v. 1.
The dyrk regioun apperand … In November a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 228.
Quhen it drew to the dirk nycht a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 14.
Haill, beyme to skaill of ded the dirk vmbrakill c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxix. i.
Into thir dirk and drublie day is Quhone sabill all the hewin arrayis Ib. lxxii. 85.
The day wox dirk as ony nicht 1513 Doug. i. vi. 177.
Venus … baith tway … With a dyrk clowd closyt rownd about Ib. iv. iii. 63; etc.
Enclosyt with a myst als dyrk as nycht 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. v.
Quhen silvir Diane … fra dirk eclips wes past 1533 Boece x. vi. 359 b.
Euery man … in the dirk nycht socht refuge c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5342.
Quhen the sonne of lycht is dyrk, The mone and sterris man be myrk 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 249.
The tutor of Pitcurre … was tane at the port … being so veirrie and also so dyrk nyght(2) c1475 Wall. i. 257.
Throw a dyrk garth scho gydyt him furth fast 1490 Irland Mir. I. 118/8.
The innemeis are put in presone infernale and dyrk habitacioune c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxii. 15.
Ȝour stinkand styll that standis dirk, Haldis the lycht fra ȝour parroche kirk 1513 Doug. i. ii. 17.
Thus the hie fader almychty in cavis dyrk Thir wyndis hyd Ib. vi. ii. 58.
The layk dyrk Of Acheron, gorgeit with fludis myrk 1533 Bell. Livy I. 280/17.
Ane huge aik … quhais schaddow made the place … sum parte dirk and obscure c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4359.
He is prince of purgatorie, Delyuering saulis … Off that dirke dungeoun(3) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1641 (B).
Non suld presume … Bot trow fermlie, and lat dirk ressounis be Ib. 2220.
Quhat is mair dirk than blind prosperitie? c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxv. 12.
The naturall science philosophicall; The dirk apperance of astronomie 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 197.
Vnder the clowdis of dyrk poetry, Hyd lyis thar mony notabill history Ib. xi. vii. 116.
That mater quhilk … Is nother dyrk nor dowtsum. bot full cleir 1535 Stewart 11323.
Rycht sad he wes … , with dirk and havie cheir Ib. 34906.
My rude ingyne wald bath grow dolland dirk 1562-3 Winȝet I. 74/20.
Mony thingis of obscuir and dirk [ms. var. dark] places in scriptuir
