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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wrek(e, Wreik, v. Also: vrek, wreck, wreake, wrik, wryke, (wirk), wraik(e. P.p. wrokin(e, -yn, -en, wrokkin, -yn, wrockin, wrok. [ME and e.m.E. wreke(n (a1200), wracke(n, wræken (both Layamon), wrek (Cursor M.), wreek (Wyclif), wreak (?a1500), p.p. wroken (c1250), y-wroke (Chaucer), wroke (Gower), OE wrecan, MDu., MLG wreken, ON reka.]

1. tr. To avenge (oneself or another), to be avenged (on (apoun), contrare a person, etc.).(1) pres. 1375 Barb. xiii (1571) 144*.
God … hes grantit vs his grace To wreik vs on thame 15.. Dunb. App. vii 11.
Na neuer sall I me revenge na wreke, Bot on myself c1590 Fowler I 386/250.
Why on this traytour stay I thus? The goddes me on him wreake 1611-57 Mure Sonn. ii 9.
Let Cupid wreck him on my martyred hert(b) a1400 Leg. S. x 434.
The kinge … send a felone freke, On the apostil hyme for to wryke(c) 15.. Clar. ii 265.
Fals theif, I sall me wraike on thép.p. c1420 Wynt. i 1511.
Fra he [sc. Saturn] wyst … that he Throwcht hys swn sulde geldyt be He [etc.] … Swa on hys barnys he sulde be wrokyn [W. wrokin] a1500 Henr. Fab. 2660.
He wraithit me, and than I culd him warne … I suld be wrokkin on him c1475 Wall. (1570) viii 893.
We think we suld on his men wrokin [Moir, McD. wengit] be 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 317 (L).
A hart … With houndis rent, on quham Dian wes wrokkyn 1513 Doug. v xiii 49.
Scho thinkis it nocht eneuch … to downbet … the pepil … And fortobe wrokin [Ruddim. wrokine] be alkin panys, Apon thar sary levingis and remanys 1533 Boece 141a.
He to be wrokin contrare Voadicia send ane legioun 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1351.
I salbe wrockin [Ch. revengit] on thy graceles gane 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1707.
Had I thé in my grippis, on thé I suld be wrokin 1570 Sat. P. xxi 92.
Than will thay … On pure trew men be wrokin(2) ?1438 Alex. ii 2952.
With him wald I … speke That slew my father; me bird him wreke c1475 Wall. iv 170.
My mynde is sett … Wrokyn to be, or ellis de in the payne a1500 K. Hart 215.
I sall nocht … se thame … Discomfit clein my men … Na we sall wrik ws one ane vther wys c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 131/82.
Owther man my hart to breik Or with my pen I man me wreik

b. To avenge (an injury) (on (apoun) a person or persons).Ruddim. var. in Doug. quot. in (2) is perhaps an example of Wirk v. 1 d (3).(1) 1375 Barb. xii 227 (C).
Meit thame with speris hardely And wreik on thame the mekill ill That thai and tharis has done vs till c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 69.
On my-self bene al my harmys wrokin 1533 Boece 141a.
To wreik apoun thame [supra ageit weremen] the iniuris quhilk apoun Petilius scho mycht nocht revenge 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9677.
In all my dayis forȝet it sall I nocht That lufe thow trowis for to obtene of me, In thy dispite I sall it wraik on thé(2) c1460 Thewis Wysmen 246.
Wysmen with pwre … Kepis fra wrang and harmys vrekis a1500 Henr. Fab. 1538.
Thair is na wy that will my harmis wreik [Bann. wraik] c1475 Wall. vi 214.
Sall neuir man me se Rest in till eys, quhill this deid wrokyn be 1513 Doug. iv xi 53.
Ȝe infernale fureys that wrekis [Sm. wreikis, Ruddim. wirkis; L. ultrices] al wrang c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 103.
Ane band Of nobill men, abill to wraik thair harmes

c. To avenge (oneself), be avenged of (apoun) an injury.pres. c1475 Wall. v 22.
All likly men, to wrek thaim of thar harmesp.p. 1531 Bell. Boece I 259.
To be wrokin of thair rebellioun, he come with ane army 1533 Boece 558b.
Thai haltane pridefull tyrannyis … bostit avanting thai suld fynd tyme tobe wrokin apoun thai harmes 1535 Stewart 27666.
He wist nocht weill how that he sould be wrokin Of thair falsheid for to revengit be(b) 1535 Stewart 1135.
To be wrok Of thair injure

2. To vent (one's rage) in, or upon a person or persons. a1400 Leg. S. vii 133.
Thai mycht nocht Sancte Paule sla … Thar-fore thai wrekyt thar wodnes In this Jamis 1690 Shields Grievances and Sufferings 25.
The greatest employment, that that great army had in hand and heart, was to wreck … all their fury … upon the poor mountain-men

3. intr. or absol. To take vengeance ; to vent one's feelings. c1460 Thewis Wysmen 122.
Thai here glaidly, and lytill spekis, Laith for to crab and seldin wrekis 1460 Hay Alex. 10179.
Scho salbe bald of kynd And vnschemfull to wreik quhan scho is leynd