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.
Ethnik, a. and n. Also: ethnyk, -nike, -nic(k, -nicque, eithnik, etnick. [Late ME. ethnike (c 1470), -nick(e, late L. ethnicus. See also Hethnick.]
1. n. A heathen, a pagan.a1400 Leg. S. xv. 161.
A part of it fel done & mad a gret distruccione Of ethnykis 1562 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 5.
[To be] haldin as ane ethnik & ane publicane 1562-3 Winȝet I. 137/3.
We will … fle ȝour cumpanie as of ethnikis and renigatis 1573 Sat. P. xxxix. 182.
Ane cruikit ethnik, and ane crewall tod 1588 Cath. Tr. 208/21.
The sectis of the Iewis, of Ethnicques, of Mahomeit 1596 Dalr. I. 220/16.
Feiring that throuch the iniuries of the Ethnickis in Albion he war set upon
2. adj. Heathen, pagan.1562-3 Winȝet I. 131/27.
Ȝour … maist ethnik and arrogant impietie 1571 Knox in Bann. Memor. 100.
Moir barbarous than an etnick judge was a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxx. 93.
Ethnyk authouris full of ignorance 1590 Reg. Privy C. IV. 453.
Thay … in eithnik and barbarous maner swoir to defend the authouris of the murthour 1587-99 Hume 6/21.
Followers of the dissolute ethnike poets
b. Ethnick-like, heathenish.1579 Bk. Univ. Kirk II. 431.
Anent the buriall of … the Erle of Athoill … the Kirk thoght the crosse and the stroupes superstitious and ethnick like
