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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
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Strek(e, Streik(e, Stre(t)ch(e, v. Also: streek, streak, strik, stra(i)k, strect, streich(e, streitche, streech, streach(e, streatch(e, straiche, stracht, straucht. P.t. also strawcht, strauchit. P.p. also stratched, straught. [ME and e.m.E. strek- (c1250), streyk- (Prompt. Parv.), streak- (1577), streek- (1594); also streche (a1225), stretche (Wyclif), stratch- (Malory), OE streccan (see OED Streek v. for a discussion of the history and development of north. ME strēk- and south. ME strēch-.]See also Overstreke v.

1. tr. a. To extend or pull (something flexible) from one point to another or over a surface, by drawing it out straight.(a) 1375 Barb. x 367.
A cruk … Of irn … fra it in ane kyrnaill ware, And the leddir [of ropes] thar-fra stratly Strekit, it suld stand sekirly(b) 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 11.
Then upon his hands he streeches Two yellow gloves

b. To stretch (a person) on a cross or rack, as a punishment.(a) a1400 Leg. S. iii 688.
Thane one the croice but howne Thai strekyt and band hym sone With cordis a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii 167.
Catife corse is now Nakit strekit in til a frame a1400 Leg. S. xlii 168.
He gert strek hire in a frame [L. in equuleum] & torment hir in syndry vyse(b) a1400 Leg. S. iii 645.
And bad his tormentoris but bad Thane one the croice thai suld hym stracht a1400 Leg. S. xxii 337.
& thar-eftyre gert hyme straucht In til framis with al thare macht

c. Of the hands: To be stretched in crucifixion. a1400 Leg. S. iii 453.
That he syne suld hynge A-pone the croice with handis stracht

2. intr. To extend, stretch (in a specified direction or for a specified distance).pres. a1400 Leg. S. ix 220.
& of his hewyd the lochtris of hare Til his fete strekand ware 1388 Bamff Chart. 22.
The qwilke foure [men] layd the lande wyth lyne and departit tham ewynly in tua … begynand on the west part of the Lowssy law strekand west … in tyl thar toftis the forsayd Gylbert at the sadow and the forsayd Alysonder at the sone 1391 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 379.
On the syde as Nessoke strekis vp to the hevid fra the entre of Condoll is the mere c1420 Wynt. i 527 (E).
All the landis of Asye, That fra the north throw est out strykis Vnto the south quhill at it rekis c1420 Wynt. ii 432.
Fra that [finger] to the hart he sayde Ane ewyn strekande wayne [= vein] wes layde 1433–4 Liber Coll. Glasg. in Orig. Par. I 14 n.
The gat at strekis fra the Merkat Cors tyll the he kyrk of Glasgu 1434 Liber Aberbr. II 67.
And sua furth est as Dunberrow streikis as the Greyne Laich gais to the Greyne Rod on the north syidis of Fallaty 1474 Reg. Cupar A. I 194.
Eysmentis to our warandare of our conyngare, so far as the quarter strekis to, that is for to sa, twa acris of land tayn out of the hale Grange 1493 Reg. Episc. Morav. 250.
Liniali as the mur strekis of lynth betuix [etc.] 1513 Rec. Earld. Orkney 334.
[As it lies in length and breadth] streakand from the say on the north part till the farrest partis that pertenis to the said tenement 1513 Doug. v xiii 128.
The fludis strekis plane our al the see 1526 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I 105.
Strakand 1575 Rec. Earld. Orkney 138.
Straikand fra hir southmest gavill of hir said tennement unto the commoun loyn c1680 Morisone in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 211.
The Loch of Carluvay, streeking in almost to the middest of the countrie(b) 1563 Ferg. Tracts 22.
Hauing no further dominion then their own diosies did streich 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. vi 541.
Sub mornia tendit, [of a road] streatches out under 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 1.
The hill called Ord with a range of other hills which doe streatch from the south sea to the north oceanp.t. 1375 Barb. xviii 130.
Apon the cawse That wes betuix thame and the toune, That strekit lang in a randoune c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1799.
The quhilk kynrik strekit throw-out A gret arme of the se c1420 Wynt. iv 2086.
A low out off that ryfft Strak wp evyn nere to the lyfft 1513 Doug. x iv 131.
From hys belly and thens fordwart dovn The remanent straucht lyke a fyschis tayll 1513 Doug. xi x 88 (Sm.).
Quharthrow thar strekyt a rod or a strait wayp.p. 1375 Barb. xviii 366.
Thar was A craggy bra strekyt weill lang c1420 Wynt. i 1188.
Sowth on to Danoy strekyd is A land cald Nedyre Sythya 1572–3 Cal. Sc. P. IV 507.
[The Earl of Morton … who, not satisfied to have (by what means I know not)] stratched in his handis [the whole realm of Scotland]

b. fig. Of something non-material.(a) 1375 Barb. xvii 929.
Micht he haf lifit quhill he had beyne Of perfit elde … His renoune suld haf strekit fer a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1120.
Godis priuite That be na way ma witine be Ne manis wit ma strek thartill 1435 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 189.
Als fer as his gudli power may streke 1513 Doug. vi ix 100.
As that our sight may vp to hevynnys streke c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Cor. x 13.
For we sal nocht haue glorie ouere mesure, bot be the mesure of the reule the quhilk God mesurit to vs, the mesure that strekis to you c1520-c1535 Nisbet Heb. iv 12.
For the word of God … strekis to the departing of the saule and of the spirit 1570 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. I 314.
The valeu therof [sc. an auction of the Friar kirk choir] to be applyit to the common verk and detts payit sa far as it streaks(b) c1590 Fowler I 277/73.
Thy grace and thy compassions trew, Which so muche greatar ar, for that they to the worthles streache 1626 Garden Worthies 149.
Streatch 1678 Fountainhall Decis. I 14.
Words are not to be stretched, but rather to be impropriated ad evitandum delictum 1693 Laing MSS 478.
Wheir law wes streatched alse farr as it wold goe

c. In legal contexts, of acts, etc.: To extend as far as, be applicable to (against, upone) (a particular person or group of persons). 1584 Reg. Soltre 240.
This act to be vnderstand to strect vpone all prebenderis indifferentlie that schawis na impediment to the rest … of thair absence 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 40.
Sua that the formar act nor any obleisement maid be the said Niniane sall in ony tyme heirefter streik or extend against the said Ninian or his cautioner for payment thairof but sall be null

3. To extend, hold out (an object, esp. a weapon). Also, to streik ane vand, (of an official or officer) to wield the baton or rod of office.(1) 1460 Hay Alex. 1526.
Haniball Strakit his spere and spurrit his steid 1460 Hay Alex. 1535.
In middis the stour he strekis his burdoun 1535 Stewart 7144.
Sone thai streikit thair standartis vpon hicht 1535 Stewart 50220.
And naiprie wes weschin clene and fair, In steid of standartis st[r]eikit in the air a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xlix 29.
Go to than, shirs, and let vs streik a sting(b) 1375 Barb. ii 348.
Thai straucht thar speris, on athir syd 1375 Barb. viii 297.
With hedis stowpand and speris straucht Richt to the kyng thar vay thai raucht ?1438 Alex. ii 1229, etc. c1420 Wynt. viii 4690.
But mare lete, Thai strawcht thair speris, and thai thaim mete In to the fwrd — 1579, 1617 Despauter (1696).
Tendere, to extend, bend, streach out(2) 1513 Doug. viii iii 47.
Eneas … in hys hand straucht furth, at he mycht se, In takyn of peax a branch of olyve tre(3) 1558–9 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 159.
The said Andro poyndit the gudis mentionat in the persewaris libell thai beand within the burgh of Kyntor and fredome of the same quhair he had na power to streik ane vand be vertew of the precept producit for thair defenssis nor na uder way

b. tr. To hold out, proffer (something) (to someone). a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 581.
Thai haf tane Of that fyngire a litil bane, To Godis son that strekit he, Quhen he come baptist to be

c. To let down, release (nets, anchors) into the sea. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxvii 30.
Vndir colour as thai suld begin to streke furth the anchoris [Vulg. anchoras extendere] 1531 Perth Guildry 373.
Thir personis vnderwritin payng for ilk net ȝerlie tene lib. afoir hand to the thesaurar or euer thai streik the nettis

d. To streke a borch, to put forward a pledge or surety.See Borch(t n. 4 (2) for further examples. 1410 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 30.
The bischop strekyt ane borch 1430 Ayr B. Ct. 8 May.
The sayd Samuel strekyt a borch in the sergeandis hand that he was quyit tyl his princypale thyng 1444 Aberd. B. Rec. I 398.
John of Lowdoun strekit a borch that the prwff that Johne Mathisone mad on hym til ansuer til a breff of richt til Johne Crukshank [etc.] 1452 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 163.
The actioun of the determinaton of the borch & recountyr strikyt be the larde of Ogstoun 1577 Inverness Rec. I 258.
James Paterson, ane of the procurator fiscallis of the burcht of Innernis, strekis ane brocht on all and haill the fre wemen of this burcht … that [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset III 54 n.
[When] the tane [party] strek a borghe apone a weir of law, the tother party sal haf leif to be avisit … quhether he will recountre it or nocht

4. Of the sun, planets, a comet: To emit (a beam of light). 1375 Barb. iv 704.
Eftir as thair [sc. the planets'] bemys strekit air, Owthir all evin, or on wry a1400 Leg. S. xviii 1319.
The sone cane fare bemys strek That fra the hewine til erd can rek c1420 Wynt. v 3124.
The comete … ay the beme it strekys thare Quhare that infortune sall rys

5. To extend, stretch ((a part of) the body). Chiefly, const. prep. Also, transf. and fig.pres. a1400 Leg. S. xi 258.
We sal gyf tham leyf to speke, Bot nane a fowt furth to streke c1420 Wynt. i 717.
Quhen thai ly on erde to slepe … a fwt wpe thai streke That it fra thaim the weddyr brek a1500 Henr. Fab. 2135 (Ch.).
Baith heid, and feit, and taill ȝe man streik out a1500 Lanc. 1898.
Ye, wnder whome that he most nedis stond, At correccioune sal strek his mychty hond 1513 Doug. iii iii 53.
Strekand vp my handis towart hevyn 1513 Doug. v v 64.
Strekand hyr nek with hyssis lowd in teyn 1513 Doug. v vii 3.
‘Now cummys heir,’ said Ene, ‘quha lyst preif To streke thar armys furth, and heys on hycht, For mays or burdon arrayit weil at rycht 1513 Doug. xi x 24 (Ruddim.).
Ful proude waloppis he, Hie strekand vp his hede with mony ane ne(b) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4606.
Streich ȝe not furth ȝour arme but mair abaid … I sall haue all the hart blude at ȝour hart 1563 Ferg. Tracts 21.
To put bothe youre handes to your eares and then to streiche them out as the daw doeth when she raxeth her in the morning c1590 Fowler I 86/17.
And streatching owt hir plesant hand, that hand so long desyrd 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Tendo, to streatch outp.t. a1400 Leg. S. l 1172.
That haly virgine but effray Hire faire hals strekit furth mylk-quhyt a1578 Pitsc. I 60/26.
He fell doune wpoun his knies and streikit forth his craig to the sword(b) 1513 Doug. v vii 26.
Thys ilk Darhes … Hys armys strecht with gret flappys in the ayr c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xxvi 51.
Strauchtep.p. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 848.
His harme, that strekit [wes] on hicht To strik c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2596.
His arme, that was strekit than On loft with drawin swerd ?1438 Alex. i 2654.
Tholomere, … lyand At eard streikit baith fute and hand a1500 Henr. Fab. 2173.
The cadgear … of the volff gat ane sicht, Quhair he … lay streikit in the gait 1513 Doug. xiii Prol. 150.
Be my rycht hand, strekit vp inhy, [I] Hecht to translait his buke 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 162/915.
Hauing on the softest sand, By chance of meeting found The lyon streaked(b) 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 170.
For which guiltines the Lords hand is justlie stretchit out against this place and inhabitants therofftransf. 1513 Doug. iii x 46.
The byg akis strekyng in the ayr thar croppys 1513 Doug. iv viii 80.
Als far as his [sc. the tree's] crop heich on breid Strekis in the ayr, als far hys rute doith spreid Deip vndir erth 1513 Doug. xii xii 15.
Mont Apennynus … ioys to streik hys snawy top on hycht Vp in the ayrfig. c1460 Consail Vys Man 341.
Strik nocht ay furth thi fellony [= anger] Qwhar thow has ourhand ore maistry

b. To streke one's hand (in another's), to clasp another's hand in token of sealing a bargain, etc. 1385 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 7.
The forsayde Syr Robart and Jon faythfully heht strekand thair handys in myne bodely makand gude fayth [etc.] 1608 Crim. Trials III 45.
With my lordis hand strekit in the deponeris handis 1677 Cunningham Diary 13.
The communing and agreement was made, and hands straught therupon, before my father

c. To extend and flex (the limbs) by way of exercise, or to relieve cramp or stiffness. 1456 Hay II 120/31.
Quhen thou rysis in the mornyng thou suld first mak thy passyng a lytill quhile up and doune, and strek and rak thy membris suetely and softly and evinly 1632 Lithgow Trav. v 205.
I would often fetch a walke, to stretch my legs, that were stifled with a stumbling beast

d. tr. To open wide (the throat). 1687 Fugitive Poetry II xlii 7/6.
Like caged birds, he utters broken notes. These while loud, (poor things) and streatch their throats

6. reflex. To stretch oneself out, lie (doun). Also, with aboue, to straddle.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2050 (Harl.).
[The fox] strawcht him doun in middis of the way 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 94.
Dovne a bed I me strekyt 1513 Doug. xiii v 23.
Dawnus … apon Turnus corps hym strekis doun 1662 Sel. Biog. I 210.
The poor sheep … win safely through to the fair green grass on the other side, and there they streik and dry themselves(2) 1623 Crim. Trials II 537.
Scho com in to the bed and strauchit hir self aboue him … mumbling sum wordis

b. To ? stretch or ? straighten oneself in (one's) stirroppis. Cf. Strenȝe v.¹ 3. c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 374.
He lap vpon his cursour wicht And straucht him in his stirroppis richt

7. To lay or stretch (a person, chiefly or only a corpse) out (downe).(1) c1600 Montg. Suppl. xviii 4.
Steiche the dur & cache me, Lay me doun & streche me, Ding me, & dang me 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. iii.
The faithfull as forfoghten in the wearisome warfair of this militant life, after the victory of dissolution, should be streeked downe in graue(2) 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxxvi.
The lady his wyf … vald suffer na man nor voman to twiche him, bot hir self; scho lowked his eyes and streiked him 1639 Kirkcaldy Presb. 141.
Compeired John Walker who deponed that Robert Bennett he being sick and dead (as was thought) for he was streakit 1654 Johnston Diary II 210.
M. J. G. had sayd he would rayther see him streiked then to embrace such a temptation

8. intr. To go or run quickly. Cf. Strik(e v. 19. c1450-2 Howlat 652 (A).
Stanchalis, steropis, strecht to thai stern lordis a1500 K. Hart 759.
Than Jelosie come strekand vp the stair

b. tr. To urge on (an animal). ?1438 Alex. i 1803.
Emynedvs his steid thair straucht, And, … plungit in the stalwart stour a1500 Henr. Fab. 2237.
His stottis he straucht with ‘Benedicite’ a1500 Lanc. 3080.
His hors he strekith our the larg gren

9. tr. To streke (a) pleuch, to stretch the harness of a plough; hence, to set a plough in motion, commence ploughing.The form may be erroneous. Cf. Strik(e v. 7 b. 1598 Breadalbane Ct. Bk. 190b.
Ane mere and ane fille lent to him to stretche his pleuch

b. To streke a pen, to employ, write with, a pen. 1561 Q. Kennedy Oratioune 20.
Thar pestilent precheouris … barkcand bauldly like bardis … to preis thair wittis and inginis and to streik all thair pennis in my contrar

10. reflex. a. Of a person, in fig. use: To extend one's activities beyond what is normal or desirable; to exert oneself (to a certain degree). b. Of a voice: To project itself, make itself heard.a. 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II 104.
Hithertillis they have not streitched themselfis beyond their lynes bot walked within the compas of their trust 1651 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 640.
Except men will blot out of ther heartes the loue of religion … they must now or neuer appeire actiuely, eache one streaching himselue to the wttermost of his powerb. 1570 Bann. Trans. 44.
Now … I persave my voce is not able to straiche the self vnto the earis of the multitude

11. transf. To exert force on, turn (a screw), in order to stretch (something). 1684 Dalyell Darker Superst. 650.
Continued in the agonie of torture, the screw being by space and space streatched and forced, until he appeared near to faint