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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Talk, n. Also: tau(i)k, tak. [e.m.E. talke (1539), taulk (1552), talk (1566); Talk v.]

1. Speech, verbal comment addressed by an individual to one or more others. Also, to give, hald, speak talk.(1) 1596 St. A. Kirk S. 819.
William Geddy, … being accusit for drinking extraordinarlie and wickit tak, confessit the samyn(2) 1525 Aberd. B. Rec. I xli.
Quhe that cumis to the queir, and … beis notit haldan tauk in the samen, salbe report as absent 1528–9 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II 361.
Tauik 1584 Perth Kirk S. in Spottiswoode Misc. 248.
He giving injurious talk to the minister, was commanded … to be put in fast ward 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 243.
Suppose he speaketh little talk yet [etc.]

2. Oral interchange of thoughts and ideas; conversation; discussion, debate. Also, an instance of this. Also proverb.(1) a1500 Rauf C. 90.
Into sic talk fell thay a1500 Colk. Sow Prol. 9.
Thair talk that tyme in table honorable Befoir lordingis and ladeis amiable c1500 Fyve Bestes 134/218.
And quhen he hard the mater of thair talk c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 262.
Be as turtoris in your talk thought ȝe haif talis brukill 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 99.
Quhen twa arguis, in ane or thay conclude On force thair talk mon be contrarious a1578 Pitsc. I 91/9.
Thair is no talk to be had betuix ane fow man and ane fastand 1589 Riddell Tracts 117.
Being familiarlie fallin in purpose and tak with his cuesing 1661 Baillie III 469.
At the beginning of the parliament there were many brave designs for fishing and more use of trade; but after much toome-talk, all seems to be vanished(2) c1500 Makc. MS xiv 17.
To euery tak [nocht] sone gyf thow credenceproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 481.
Evil talk corups gude maners