A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Mirk, n. Also: mirke, myrk; merk; mark. [North. and north. midl. ME. mirke, myrke, mer(c)k(e, e.m.E. murk(e, OE. mirce, ON. myrk-r.]
Darkness.Chiefly in the phrases in (into) (the) mirk, in (the) darkness; also, out of sight, in concealment, secretly, not openly. In the mirk of the mone, in the period of no moon, when the moon is dark.(1) 1494 Loutfut MS. 39 b.
Escharbukle … giffis clerenes schynnand in al myrk as dois the day 15.. Sym & Bruder 16. 1567 Sat. P. vii. 114.
Bothwell Hes trayterously in myrk put downe our King 1567 G. Ball. 205.
In the mirk he weill culd wirk 1603 Philotus cxvi.
This morning in the mirk(b) 1567 G. Ball. 107.
Na suddand chance of uncouth slycht, Sall cummer thé, nor mak thé red, Nor thé perturb in mark nor lycht Bot from all plague thow sall be fred(2) 1585 Reg. Privy C. IV. 28.
Seing … the diet of the proclamatioun is in the mirk of the mone(3) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 221 (B).
Than carlingis cryis, ‘Keip curches in the merk’ [: clerk, bark, sark] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1455 (B).
In Rome I cowld get na lugeing, Bot hyd me in the mirke(4) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2078 (B).
And als I wald his buikis War nevir red in to the kirk, Bot amang freiris in to the mirk 1562-3 Winȝet I. 52/20.
Ane thing to hef vnderstandit and roundit priuatlie in the mirk, and ane vther thing to hef precheit oppinlie in the pulpet
b. fig. Spiritual darkness, ignorance.1581 Sat. P. xliv. 312.
Curse of the saulis quhom ȝe keip in the mirk 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii. xxv.
Can we call thame Christians richt, That seis the glorious glancing licht, syne to the mirke reteirs
