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.
Kek(e, keik, v. Also: keek, kik. [ME. keke, kike, kyke (Chaucer). After the 15th c. appar. only Sc. and north.Cf. MDu. kiken, kieken (Dn. kijken), MLG. kiken, MDu. also kicken; also Da. kige, Sw. and Norw. kika.]
intr. To peep, to glance. Also fig., of a flower.(a) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 166.
And our al thinge kep hir in kirk To kek abak, to lauch or smyrke(b) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 407.
Thai goif one strangers and thai keik a1500 Peblis to Play 37.
Amang ȝon merchandis … I sall … Stand of far and keik thaim to c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 81.
Than suld I cast me to keik in kirk, and in markat, … Quhair I ane galland micht get Ib. 125.
I dar nought keik to the knaip that the cop fillis Ib. 434.
As the new mone … through cluddis, So keik I through my clokis, and castis kynd lukis To knychtis, and to clerikis 1572 Sat. P. xxxii. 47.
In hoill and boir we byde, As wratches … Dar not keik out for rebellis that dois ryde a1605 Montg. Flyt. 512 (T).
Sum, luiking lyce, in the croun of it keikis [Hart keeks]fig. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1700 (Ch.).
[In spring] Quhen columbie vp keikis [v. rr. vpkeikis, vp kikis] throw the clay
