A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1540
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Irk, a. Also: irke, yrk. [ME. (orig., and later chiefly, north and north midl.) yrk(e, irk(e (Cursor M.), and e.m.E., appar. obsol. after the 16th c.; of uncertain origin: cf. Irk,v.]
1. Weary, tired (physically or mentally); flagging, failing; ‘bored’, inattentive, careless. Variously const.Common in Leg. S.(1) a1400 Legends of the Saints ii. 92.
Patroclas … till his word tuk sik kepe, Till he wes irk and fel one slepe a1400 Ib. xxv. 174.
Othyre to helpe thame to wyrk Ore gyf thar gud, gef thai ware irk a1400 Ib. xxvii. 360.
He leryt al & wes nocht irk a1400 Ib. xxix. 844.
Thame that sorow bad mad irk a1500 Henr. III. 135/27.
In my yowtheid, allace, I was full irk, Could not tak tent to gyd and governe me c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxv. 36.
Way stricht … to wilsome wicht, That irke bene in travale(2) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxvi. 880.
As scho lay … At hire prayere, for fastine irke c1420 Wynt. v. 539.
Off that play nevyr yrk na sad For all the copy at scho had(3) c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 331; c1475 Ib. viii. 807.
So yrk of wer scho couth no forthir fle 1513 Doug. xii. i. 2.
Quhen Turnus knew the Latyn pepill haill Irk of the weir(4) a1400 Legends of the Saints xxvii. 1521.
Beis nocht irk With gud werkis to strynth the kirk c1460 Consail Vys Man 429.
Be neuir irke To kep the mandments of the kirk
b. To think irk, = To grow weary (of).1513 Doug. iv. vii. 88.
Sum the sleuthful chasteis, that thocht irk Of thar labour c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 32.
The imagis in to the kirk May think of thare syde taillis irk [etc.]
2. Wearisome, troublesome, distressing. = Irksum a.c1420 Wynt. viii. xv. h. (W).
The batall of the Fawkirk, That wes to Scottismen full irk
