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.
†FLAKE, n.3, v.2 Also flawk. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. fleck. See also Fleck.
I. n. A gleam, streak of colour or light. Also fig.Ayr. 1838 Galt in Tait's Mag. (Jan.) 41:
I had my dreams, . . . with now and then a flake of fancy between hands, concerning a wife that should be of a degree.Ayr. a.1878 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage (1892) 265:
The morning star is hidden In the dawing's ruddy flake.
II. v. To cover with flecks, to mark with streaks. Ppl.adj. flaket, -ed, flawkit, flecked, striped; white on the flanks, of cattle (Bnff. 1825 Jam., flawkit); ¶adulterated, of precious metal. Comb. flaked whale, the white-sided dolphin, Delphinus acutus (Ork. 1891 Buckley and Harvie-Brown Fauna Ork. 77).Sc.(E) 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah i. 22:
Yer siller, it's flaikit; yer drink, it's been draiket.
