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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

BLUNK, n.1 [blʌŋk, bljʌŋk]

1. “A small block of wood or stone. It is often pronounced bllunk, with [nearly, but see P.L.D. § 108] the Spanish sound of ll” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 13; Bnff.7, 1912; Abd.19 1935). Mry. 1889 T. L. Mason Rafford 11:
A strong, short "blunk" of wood was all that our forefathers had for a mould.

2. fig. “A dull, lifeless person” (Bnff.2 1935; Abd. 1825 Jam.2, Gl. Tarras).Abd.(D) 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 169:
Heely noo, Jock Tamson, ye greedy, hamiran [clumsy], havless blunk, ye hae yer pooches foo, forbye the nivfu' ye are humpshin' at.
Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 35:
It's, nae doubt, hard to sit like sunks, While ither snottie lousie blunks Are fending gay an' snug.

[Nasalised variant of block, phs. conflated with Blunt, n.2]

3639

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