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 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hed(e)-dyk, Heid-dyke, n. Also: heide-dike, heiddyck. [Hede n.¹ 7; Dyke n. 2.] The outer wall of a field or holding; the boundary wall.The heid-dyke was the wall built on the heid-rowm (Hede-rowm n.), as distinct from those built on the front and the sides of the holding. 14.. Acts I. 363/2.
Giff ony burges will nocht mak his hed dyk or other placis that are opyn, [etc.] 1498 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 74.
That na … persoun presume … to cum within the toune at bak postrouns or heid dykis 1514 Ib. 150.
That thai … big vp thair heid dykis of thair said waistlands 1529 Dundee B. Laws 546.
The stane dyke … to be biggit … ewyn vp north … to the hed dyk 1595 Breadalbane Ct. Bk. 189 b.
The wrangus vnbigging of his part of the heid dyke 1621 Black Bk. Taymouth 353.
That all heiddykis and faulddykis … be yeirly beittit 1667 Stitchill Baron Ct. 50.
That ilke tenant … make ther heid dycks sufficientattrib. 1488 Reg. Paisley 407.
We fynd the marchez … betuix the saidis landis clere fra the Knok dike to the heide dike nuke