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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pik-, Pyking, vbl. n.² Also: pyik-. [ME. and e.m.E. pikyng (Manning), pykynge (Prompt. Parv.).]

1. The action of Pike v.¹, in senses 2, 3 and 5; also attrib., in sense 1.a. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1089 (Ch.).
The iustice … fand that he wes fals Of murther, thift, pyking and tressoun als Ib. 2069. 1590 Culross I. 130.
Guilty of pyking 1600-1610 Melvill 19.
I was giffen to a bernlie evill and dangerus use of pyking 1615 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. in Misc. Maitl. C. II. 185.
Beggeris … from Orkney … begging pyking steilling and oppressing the inhabitantis — a1500 Henr. Fab. 423 (Bann.).
In piking of hir pultry day and nycht 1650 Peebles Gleanings 269.
Apprehended for pyking and steilling of some beir 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 281.
For your pyking and wrongouslie away takeing ane trieb. 1563 Dumfries B. Ct. in Prot. Bk. M. Carruthers 9.
[He was] not to be sein befoir the said inqueist becaus of pyiking thairofc. 1579 Reg. Privy C. III. 126.
With new pyking of quarrellisd. attrib. 1609 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I. 242 b.
Ane piking hammer

2. A petty theft. 1646 Justiciary Cases III. 722.
It is ane grit unconsequence to argue frome privat and clandastene thiftis and pykingis in tyme of peace … to oppin raps and hostileteis and plunderingis in tyme of warr

3. ? The act of ornamenting with small projecting decorations. See also Pikit ppl. a. 3.Or perh. ? erron. for Pinking vbl. n. 1548–9 Treas. Acc. IX. 280.
For piking and lynyng of ane rob ryall