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.
Frak, Frack, a. [OE. fræc, var. of frec greedy, desirous, bold, ME. frek.] Active, ready, smart, bold. (In early use chiefly in poetry.)(a) a1500 Henr. III. 122/28.
I wes … Ane freik on fold, bayth frak, forcy, and fre 1535 Stewart 56129.
The Scottismen that tyme tha war so frak, Tha gat na lasar the anker till draw c 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 268.
Gif ye will nocht schaw yow mor fraker and diligent for them 1572 Sat. P. xxx. 63.
Thay want ane brother, … Sa frak, sa fordwart to defend the faith 1592 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 54.
He consaled him nocht to be sua frak in the ministeris cause 1600-1610 Melvill 161.
The frakest and maist zealus in relligion c1610 Melville Mem. 151.
The L. enterprysers seing … my L. of Murray not so frak for them as they supponit, wer fain to do the nyxt best(b) 1558-66 Knox I. 269.
All those that seamed most frack and fervent in the mater 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 65.
The maister of Cassilis was the frackast and wald not stay 1585 Waus. Corr. II. 340.
Thair is few or nan that ar frack in his caus 1606 Lett. Eccl. Affairs I. 47.
[He] is ane honest subiect and frack in thais your Maiesteis serviceis a1651 Calderwood VII. 180.
None fracker against the estate of bishops in the purer tymes than he; none now fracker for the present course
b. To make frack, to make haste.1558-66 Knox I. 104.
These thingis newlie ratifeid, the merchantis maid frack to saill
