A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1550-1618, 1670
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Stifnek(k)it, adj. Also: -neckit, stiffeneckt, stiffnaked. [e.m.E. stiffenecked (Tyndale), styfnecked (a1535), styffenecked (c1550); Stif(f adj. and Nek(k)it adj.] Obstinate, recalcitrant.1550 Knox III 62.
Willing to play the gude fellow, and not to be stifneckit 1554 Knox III 165.
The stif-nekit and stuburne pepill of Judea 1573-1600 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 140/15.
Thou art ane obstinat, stifnekkit papist 1596 Dalr. I 291/5.
Quhen this king saw his peple … war sa bent to thair folie and stifnekit in thair awne mynd that thay walde nocht kenn thair office a1599 Rollock Wks. I 391.
This people of Corinth was stif-neckit, hard to conceive, conceittie, and lyked nathing bot humane wisdome and eloquence 1618 Lithgow Poet. Remains 30.
Thy stiffeneckt crew, their heads ou'r saincts they lift 1670 Inverness Presb. 6.
That obstinat and stiffnaked generation
