Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†FAIK, v.2 Also feike, fake.
1. To abate, remit, lower (a price or sum of money (Per., Lth. 1808 Jam.).Lnk. c.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 59:
If a poor beggar body had a bit wean to chrisen, the deil a doit they feike him o't.Rnf. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 52:
Ait meal an kibbocks pay for a', Sae fake them nane the miekle price.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail xcii.:
I'll no faik a plack o' my just debt.Rnf. 1884 J. Nicholson Willie Waugh 27:
Auld Nature hauds her debtors like a vice An' winna fake ae farden o' the price.
2. To spare, excuse; to give or take a respite; to let go with impunity (Lth. 1808 Jam.; Kcb.4 1900).Ayr. 1789 Burns 2nd Epistle to Davie iii.:
Sic han's as you sud ne'er be faiket, Be hain't wha like.Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 45:
For villains there's a gallows tree Wha kill by gash or stab, But wharfore does it faik the dog Wha kills like Barnton's Rab?Bwk. 1856 G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes 75:
She never faiket, she never faiket. . . . And ne'er took a minute o' rest or ease.
