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.
Quotation dates: 1450-1623, 1700+
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Cleke, Cleik, v. Also: clieck, cleek, cleak. [Northern ME. cleke (14th c.), midl. and southern cleche, app. repr. an OE. *clǽcan. Cf. Claucht p.t.]
1. tr. To catch or snatch, so as to take from another or to oneself. c1450-2 Howlat 645.
For thai couth chewis chikinnis, … To cleke fra the commonis, as kyngis caytonris c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 62.
Quytclame clergie, and cleik to thé ane club c1500-c1512 Ib. lx. 28.
Sum causles clekis till him ane cowll 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 1046.
Thay haue renuncit russat and roploch quhyte, Cleikand to thame skarlote and crammosie 1562-3 Winȝet I. 72 marg.
Quhen thai cleik fra ws twa coupounis of our crede, tyme is to speik 1572 Satirical Poems xxxiii. 98.
That thay may in hir name bruik offices, With power to cleik vp the benefices 1600-1610 Melvill 211.
Then the bischop of Orkeney cleakis the wret out of Mester Jhon Wodis handis 1704 Ellon Presb. 288.
A woman cam behind him and cliecked the pistol out of his hand
2. To pull out, put on, catch up, snatch away, etc., quickly or forcibly. a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 820.
Thir riche restles renkis … Cleikit out twa swordis and togidder ran a1500 Doug. King Hart 153.
Ȝouthheid vpstart, and cleikit on his cloik a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 510.
Thy cloutit cloke … Cleke on thy cors, and fare on in to France 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. xliv.
Becaus thay may nocht tak them [mussels] up with thair handis, thay cleik them up with thair tayis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1327.
It is mair nor fourtie dayis Sen ever he cleikit vp my clayis 1540 Ib. 2733.
The vther kow he cleiks away 1560 Rolland Seven Sages 8985.
Now let vs schaw how Lodwik vp he rais, … and cleikit on his clais 1570 Satirical Poems xviii. 38.
Cleik on his quarrell, and schortly ȝow dispone a1578 Pitsc. I. 244/17.
Thair come ane clwdd out of the rwffe of the hall as appeirit … and cleikkit vp the blak lady a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii. 32.
The codger clims, neu cleikit from the creill a1605 Id. Son. xxii. 2.
Suppose ȝe come to cleik auay my King 1623 Craig iv. 14.
Betwixt his clookes hee cleekes her through the aire
b. With up: To start, begin to sing. a1500 Peblis to Play 57.
He cleikit up ane hie ruf sang
3. To lay hold of, to clutch or seize. a1500 Doug. K. Hart. 174.
Fayr Calling … both thair reynȝeis cleikit in hir handis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1994.
The thrid cow he cleikit be the head c1550 Id. Meldrum 158.
Than drew he furth ane sharp dagair, And did him cleik be the collair 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 151.
Oppressioun cleikit Gude Reule be the hair a1585 Maitland Quarto MS xcv. 28.
O cruel Deith, thow wes nocht ȝit content … Except his verteous lady … Thow cleik also a1605 Montg. Flyt. 513 (T).
Sum in thair oxteris it cleikis Lyk a bagpype 1594 Misc. Bann. C. III. 170.
He cleikit it [the head] be the hair, and slang it at him agane 1600 Criminal Trials II. 313.
There the Mr cleked hold on the King
b. absol. To make a clutch, take hold. 15.. Christis K. 59 (B).
The kensy cleikit to the cavell, Bot lord than gif thay luggit
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"Cleke v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/cleke_v>
