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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Reky, Reikie, adj. Also: reek-; rik-, ric(k)-. [(? North.) ME reky (c1400), otherwise appar. only Sc. till 1576, f. Rek(e n.¹]

1. That emits smoke; smoky; smouldering. 1513 Doug. vi ix 128.
Nowder blak fyre brand, nor reky flambys law Ib. viii vii 108.
Ane ile, with reky stanys as gledis 1585 James VI Ess. 110.
You must haue a reekie cole brought you … to kindle your tobacco with

2. Consisting of, or resembling, smoke. Also fig. (= transitory). 1513 Doug. vii vii 128.
The fervent bullyr violent Of watir makyng reky froith vpsprent Ib. xi v 14.
The hevynnys hye dyd walxin dirk, Involuyt with the reky stewys myrk 1531 Bell. Boece I xii.
Thair fame and memorie Sall vanis soner than the reky [v.r. riky] fume a1578 Pitsc. (1814) 479.
He saw ane gritt mistie and reikie cloud ryse and move fordwardis till it cam abone Dunpenderlawfig. 1629 Boyd Last B. 188.
All the joyes which are heere are but reekie pleasures purchased with teares, wherewith the eyes of men are made bleared

3. Made dark by smoke; full of smoke. 1513 Doug. vii i 114.
Efter that semyt this gudly wight Tobe involuyt in ȝallo reky lyght Ib. viii iv 157.
And reky nycht … Gan thikkyn our al the cavern ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 73.
Convocat … ricoso ex kitchine boyos 1662 Sc. N. & Q. II 133.
And also the bilboes of the second trance were so rickie that none stayed in them

b. Black, as with smoke. a1585 Polwart Flyt. 526 (H).
But, reikie rookes and ravens, or ȝe riue him, Desist