Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLAIKEN, Blaeken, v. “To make pale” (Abd.9 1934). Given in N.E.D. as Sc. with quot. 1570. [′blekən] ppl.adj. blaiken'd, blaiken't, blaekent.
1. “Bleached; turned yellow, by the sun” (n., w.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 264:
And grass maun be blaekent ere it can be hay.
2. “Blaiken'd, said of the skin when the redness of a sore goes” (w.–s.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
3. “Withered, as by frost: ‘The tatae shaws are a' blaiken't'” (w.Rxb. Ib.).
[O.Sc. blaiken, blakyn, to become pale, blaiknit, ppl.adj., made pale or pallid (D.O.S.T.). Mid.Eng. bleike(n), v., bleik, adj.; O.N. bleikja, to bleach, bleikr, pale, whitish (Zoëga).]
