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: 1500-1656
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Luk, v. Also: luck(e, luik. [Late ME. (15th c.) lukke. e.m.E. luck(e, MDu. and Flem. and MLG. lucken (also MDu. gelucken).]
1. intr. To turn out, eventuate well, ill, as one hoped, etc. (with one). Also impers.(1) 1513 Doug. ii. vii. 43.
The first lawbour thus lukkit weil with ws 15.. Black Bk. Taymouth 165.
All thing luckit with me as myself wald 1596 Dalr. II. 212/19.
Of quhilke victorie, and that al succeidet with thame, and luckit as tha wald, tha war sa vane and voustie that [etc.] 1596 Ib. 231/10.
The mariage succeidet not nor luket weil 1614 Criminal Trials III. 301.
Thair was neuir thing lukkit weill yit quhilk he devysit(2) 1535 Stewart 38206.
Syne efterwart sa weill with him it lukkit [: instructit] 1596 Dalr. II. 218/31.
With thame of Cathnes lucket sa il that [etc.] a1646 Wedderburn Vocab. (1709) 26.
Incommode cessit, it hath lucked evil with me
b. To have a good or successful outcome; to prosper or succeed. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 682 (L).
Thay say that wayage neuir luckis Quhair ilk ane hes ane woit 1622 Black Bk. Taymouth 373.
Quhairby sen syne the persewaris geir hes not lukit with him and his cornes growis not 1656 Scottish Notes and Queries 2 Ser. V. 107.
Marjorie Baron said ther was a cat buried ther and that Agnes Low said nothing lucked ther
2. Of persons: To have good fortune; to prosper or succeed. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 623 (L).
Thocht thay … To hasard hes na hert; Ȝit luik we, and pluik we The fruit, thai wald haif pairt a1605 Ib. 799.
He culd nocht luik [W. luck, Wr. lucke], as he alleggit, That all openyonis sperit a1605 Ib. 1431 (Wr.).
Alike all cannot lucke 1600-1610 Melvill 496.
Yit … They for the doctor and chirurgian sent, Thow lukked sa, they cam incontinent
3. To chance, happen to do something. 1650 Stirling Ant. IV. 156.
The said Helen … ansrit that … she would not be the better since she luckit to meet with him
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"Luk v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/luk_v>
