A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Wa(l)k, n.1 Also: va(u)lk. [ME and e.m.E. walk (Chaucer), walke (a1400-50).]
1. A place suitable or set aside for walking; an avenue or path. b. A similar place within a house.1440 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 241.
Directe a dicta lapidea clausura in latitudine de communi passagio predicto vsque ad la grein valk directe sicut la valk se extendit et a superiori parte de la valk per spatium quatuor rudarum a dicto passagio 1672 Hist. Kinloss A. xvi.
With a flour yeard, alies, bordis, arbors, greine or gravelt waks or blak as the owner thinks fitt 1705 Foulis Acc. Bk. 389.
For 4 days mawing the intack … avenew and walk in the parkb. 1696 Foulis Acc. Bk. 194.
To Thomas Smith … for helping the snecks at the rid walk and gallerie
2. Travel, journeying, wandering.a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 494.
The warliest wane … That euer I vist in my walk, in all this warld wyde a1500 Sir Eger 72.
When we departed [= parted] … Thou was full blith … To prove thy man-hood … And thou art now both gool and green, Into thy walk where thou hast been
3. An act or occasion of walking; a procession.1615 Misc. Maitl. C. II 170.
Suppressing of all idolatrie speciallie of walkis and pilgrimadges 1670 Laws of Aberdeen Lodge in Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 426.
If any of the measson trade be found to be willfull contemners of the Lordes day by unnecessarie walks or visits 1693–4 J. Garden in Misc. 3 Spald. C. III 39.
Mackleud and his lady … were fetching a walk about their stone house and in their return [etc.]
4. A manner of living or behaving; a way of life.1652 Dumfries Kirk S. 27 April.
People of all vaulks & conditiones a1658 Durham Blessedness Death (1713) 74.
The want whereof [sc. of repentance] … kythes in the coldness of our duties of worship and in the carnalness of our walk a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 177.
There would be that day more divineness in our holiness … a sort of majesty by ordinary in our walk, looking like the Sabbath 1696 Minnigaff Par. Rec. 10.
He … upon promise of a more suitable walk was dismissed
