A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Punk, shortened var. of Punct n.1 2 (an article of belief, detail of doctrine or custom: see also Point n.1 2). —a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cxi 51.
Sua I exhort ȝow all estaitis Ceis fra … desaittis And of fals punkis [sic also in Maitl. Q. ed.] ȝow purge 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xiii.
As a superstition that it is not onely late, but (as many of the papisticall punkes hes secreetly slipped in the kirk) without solemnitie
