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.
Kirk, Kyrk, v. [Late north. ME. kyrk (c 1460) : cf. ME. cherche (14th c.), e.m.E. church.] tr. To bring to church, deposit in church.
1. Only in passive: To be kirkit. Said concerning the first attendance at church a. of a woman after child-birth, b. of a newly married couple. See also Kirking vbl. n.a. c1420 Wynt. v. 4905.
In honoure off that madyn clere That wes kyrkkyd [v. rr. kirkit, kyrkyt] as that day 1666 Lamont Diary 117.
All these 3 cheldren had the small pox … before ther mother was kirked att this tymeb. 1697 Foulis Acc. Bk. 215.
For the 5 hors and the mens meat and drink at Cramond w[he]n Drylaw and his wife wer kirked after th[ei]r mariage
2. tr. a. To lay up in a church. b. To bring to church (for burial).1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xi. 16.
Throughout the Antichristian worlde … the wel deseruing by … liberality in legacy, was in vse to be kirked vp in burial 1684 Greyfriars Interments 259.
Gosford, Lady, kirked 31 Mar. 1684
