Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DOVEKIE, n. The black guillemot, Cepphus grylle (Sc. 1835 J. Ross Narrative Second Voyage liv. 693; 1859 F. L. M'Clintock Voyage Fox (1881) 90). Also dovekey (Sc. 1821 A. Fisher Jnl. 27); doveca (Sc. 1823 W. Scoresby Jnl. Whale-Fishery 421). Cf. sea-doo, -dovie, see Sea.
[Dove (from the resemblance to the dove in the great attachment of the male and female) + double dim. -ick, -ie.]
