Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bak-tak, n. Also: back-tack. [Bak a. or Bak adv., Tak n.] ‘A tack connected with wadsets, whereby the actual possession of the wadset lands was continued, or returned, to the proprietor or reverser, on payment of a rent corresponding to the interest of the loan’ (Bell).Also attrib. 1645 Acts VI. i. 504/1.
Where landis ar affected with wodsetis compryssingis assignementis or bak takis 1646 Ib. 633/1.
Lyverentaris … wha hes set thair lyverent landis for ane bak tak dewtie 1662 Decis. Lords G. 25.
A wodset upon Ednem, containing a reversion and back-tack 1682 Ib. F. 13.
Having a wadset right ... , affected with a back-tack; and the back-tack duty being resting for several years