A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Skeich, adj. Also: skeigh, skeycht, skich. [OE ? f. scéoh shy, with the -k- perhaps due to Scandinavian influence. Cf. Norw. and Sw. skygg timid, shy.] Of a horse: Inclined to shy; easily startled, skittish; mettlesome, spirited. Also transf. of a person.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 357 (M).
The capill … is nocht skeycht nor ȝit scer na skippis nocht on syd 1513 Doug. xii vi 134.
Thymetes … Castyn from hys staffage, skeich and hedstrang hors a1538 Abell 105b.
It hapnit at the Erll of Marche wes ridand on a wanton & skich hors at lap & stendit with him & mycht nocht be rewlit c1610 Melville Mem. 34.
Bot my skeich horse ran throw them in a narrow gait, against my will, throw the villaige a1689 Cleland 100.
To set court sadles on skeigh nages(2) a1568 Scott xxvii 34.
Quhen scho growis skeich I byd on beich 1572 Sat. P. xxxi 218.
Bot gif that thay [sc. noblemen] grow proud & heich, And skar at ȝow as thay wer skeich
