Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ESK, v., n. Also eesk, aisk, isk. See also Yesk. [ɛsk, esk, isk]

1. v. ‡(1) To hiccup (n.Sc. 1808 Jam., e(e)sk; Abd.¹⁴ c.1915, aisk). Vbl.n., e(e)skin(g), the act of hiccuping (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).

(2) To sob (Cai.⁹ 1950, isk).Cai.⁷ 1944:
She wis cownin an iskan.

2. n. ‡(1) The hiccup (Mry.¹ 1925, aisk); (2) a sob (Cai.⁹ 1950).(1) Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 27:
Foo lang wull ye lead th' nicht? Ye wull ca th' puir chiel fussionless, an' gar him tak' th' esk.