Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DALK, n. Also daulk (Fif. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 IX. 662). “A term sometimes applied to particular varieties of slate clay, and sometimes to common clay, by the common coalminers in Scot.” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Found also in Eng. as a mining term with similar meaning in form dauk, dawk (N.E.D.) and in n.Eng. dial. (Nhb., Yks.) in form dowk = a broken mass of shale; a tenacious black clay in a lead vein (E.D.D.). Cf. Daugh.Slg. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XV. 329:
Below the coal, there is eighteen inches of a stuff, which the workmen term dalk; then the white lime, of an inferior quality to the other, and as yet but seldom wrought.
