A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tri(c)k, n. Also: tricke, tricque. [Late ME and e.m.E. trik (Hoccleve), tricke (1543), trick (1570), OF (Picard and Norman) trique deceit, treachery, cheating.]
1. An underhand stratagem designed to cheat or mislead. Also, to put a trick upon (someone), to influence in an underhand way, deceive, mislead.1589 quot. may belong elsewhere.(1) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2696.
Quha can excuse this dowbill deuillis lim Sic ane fals trik sa trymlie playit to him c1569 R. Wedderburn in Sc. N. & Q. 3 Ser. VIII 44.
Ye can nocht hyd youre wylis and wrinkis nor yit youre trikkis I trow 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 194.
With trickis and delatouris he denyed, And maid manifest to men of law [etc.] 1589 Mill Mediæv. Plays 255.
His diligence in conferring with the Laird of Samelstoun for discharging the play callit the Trik of Samelstoun vsit ȝeirlie vpone the first Sounday of May 1596 Dalr. II 312/5.
Winning the victorie and ouircumeng sum deceitful and craftie Inglis trikis with gude luck tha landet the quene in … Britannie 1623 Elgin Rec. II 180.
Ye hawe bein in England and that is ane Englisch knewish trik(2) 1635 Dickson Wr. 181.
But Satan has put a trick upon many men, that when they hear there is no justification but by Christ's righteousness, then say they, my holiness or righteousness will not bring me to heaven; and so, they run on in the devil's service
2. A joke, prank; a mischievous act.1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 397.
It cummis to my memorie ane prettie trik, quhilk sumtyme I haue hard reportit of him [sc. Lindsay jokingly offered to become the king's tailor] 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (STS) 398.
Amangis mony baith graue materis, and merie trikkis, he brocht in ane bischop, ane persone, ane freir [etc.]
3. An unpleasant or deplorable action or custom; a reprehensible habit.1604 James VI Tobacco 98/3.
And not onely meate time but no other time nor action is exempted from the publike vse of this vnciuill tricke 1676 Lauder Notices Affairs I 92.
The Italian tricque of sending men to the other world in figues and possets
b. A clever or convenient expedient; a dodge.?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirmation 10.
The devil has learned the professors in Scotland a brave trick of it now; under the notion of duty he has slipped in sin among their hands!
4. A feat of dexterity or skill; a piece of legerdemain.1616 Reg. Privy C. X 656.
Thay [sc. gipsies] do shamefullie and mischantlie abuse the simple and ignorant people by … a nomber of jugling trikis and falsettis [etc.] 1655 Dumfries Kirk S. 19 April.
To cause summond Stevin Irving to their sessione, for sabboth breking by way of jugling with triks wpon the Sabboth day
5. An ingenious contrivance or invention; a gadget.1658 R. Moray Lett. 2 April.
I am pleased with your aftersupper walk … I would have you have a pacing instrument or some such trick that might save you the trouble of keeping count of your turnes
