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.
Quotation dates: 1865-1869
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BYKE, n.2 "The nose, 'beak'" (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.; Ags.1, Ags.17 1938). [bəik]Sc. 1869 R. Leighton Scotch Words 6:
On keen cold days they say the wind blaws snell, And when they wipe their nose they dicht their byke.Ags. 1865 Arbroath Guide (14 Jan.) 3/6:
How pastors and preachers their haffits should claw, Or turn up their bykes, when oor back's at the wa'.
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"Byke n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/byke_n2>
