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.
BLECK, Blek, Blaik, v.2 [blɛk, blek]
1. To disfigure, make dirty. Gen.Sc.Abd. 1863 G. Macdonald D. Elginbrod v.; Ags.1 1934; Lth., Lnk. 1934 (per Lnk.3):
“Nasty, ugly weyds! We'll hae ye admirin' the smut neist,” said he contemptuously; “'cause the bairns can bleck ane anither's faces wi't.”Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He's bleckit 'is face.
ppl.adj. blecket, dark-coloured, swarthy.Fif. 1884 “S. Tytler” Saint Mungo's City xxi.:
But, weel-a-wat she's no bonnie — a blecket thing with a muckle mouth.
2. To black boots, harness or fireplace so as to produce a clean or polished surface.Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb i.:
About blaikin that graith' o' yours, an kaimin' the mear's tail.Ags. 1925 Forfar Dispatch (25 Nov.) 3/3:
The fyre side was bleckit an' blue-caum'd.
3. To blacken with ink; to write.Sc. 1824 S. Ferrier Inheritance (1825) liii.; Ags.2 1934:
I wad rather ha'e scrapit the mool for my bread as I wad ha'e bleckit paper to beg for siller.
4. fig. To defame.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Bleck, blek. To injure one's character.Fif. 1882 “S. Tytler” Scotch Marriages v.; w.Lth., Edb. 1934 (per Edb.1):
And though you ha'e marriet a laird you maunna try to ride roch shod ower my head, and bleck my gude name!
