Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BLOCK, v., n.²

1. v.

(1) “To exchange; as, ‘to block a shilling,' to exchange it, i.e. to bargain by accepting copper in lieu of it” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.²).

(2) To exchange money for a drink.Bnff.² 1935:
Come awa into Tibbie's an' I'll block a shillin' wi' ye.

2. n. Bargain, agreement. Arch.Sc. 1904 Bewick and Graham in Ballads (ed. Child) No. 211, liv.:
With that bespoke my good lord Grahame: “O man, I have lost the better block; I have lost my comfort and my joy, I have lost my key, I have lost my lock.”