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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLECK, Blaick, n.¹, v.¹ Also blaik, blek. With the exception of the Slk. quot. from Jamieson under II. 2, the use of this word seems to be confined to mn.Sc. and sn.Sc. [blɛk, blèk, blek]

I. n.

1. “A challenge to a feat of activity, dexterity or strength; a baffle at such a feat” (Abd. 1825 Jam.²).

2. A puzzle.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 12:
A'll gee you a blaick this time.

3. “A nonplus in an argument or examination” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).

4. Phr.: to have a bleck on. (See quot.)Abd. 1825 Jam.²:
Used as a school-term, and thus explained: “If A be below B in the class, and during B's absence, get farther up in the class than B, B is said to have a bleck upon A, and takes place of him when he gets next to him.”

II. v.

1. To baffle; to puzzle; to nonplus in argument.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 12; Mry.¹ 1925:
That quystin fairly blaickit 'm.Bnff. 1880 J. F. S. Gordon Chrons. Keith 322:
Faith ye'll blek the Minister.Abd. 1825 Jam.²:
Bleck. To baffle at a feat of activity, dexterity, or strength.Abd.(D) 1916 G. Abel Wylins fae my Wallet 108:
His wife wid nae be bleckit, an' she swore they'd hae the yaird.Abd.⁷ 1925:
When a puzzling question is asked, the reply is, “Na, bit ye black bleck ma noo.”Abd. 1987 Donald Gordon The Low Road Hame 4:
Awa in roch auld Aiberdeen
The fowk wis fairly blaikit:
For gin it's nivver yet been deid,
Foo can a corp be straikit?Ags. 1860 A. Whamond J. Tacket vii.:
Our maister was supposed to know everything, and it was alleged by some, that on one occasion he had blaiket the minister.Ags.⁹ 1926:
On seeing one at a nonplus we say, “I'm thinkin' that blecks ye noo.”

2. To surpass, beat, excel.Abd.(D) 1875 W. Alexander Life Among My Ain Folk 100:
Nyod that loon o' the souter's 'll bleck Wullie Futtrit, the couper, 'imsel', gin he haud on the gate that he's deein'.Abd.(D) 1920 G. P. Dunbar Guff o' Peat Reek 10:
There's fent a ane'll bleck me. At the suppin' o' the brose.Bch.(D) 1929 J. Milne Dreams o' Buchan 11; Ags.² 1934:
Deeside an' roon' aboot blecks a' for pride.Slk. 1825 Jam.²:
“That blecks a',” that exceeds every thing.