Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HAWKIT, adj. Also hawket, -ed, hackit, -et, -ed, hakit, -ed, hau(c)kit; hau(l)ket, †halked, -it; haiked (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.), heckéd (Cai. 1909 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 75). [Sc. ′hǫ:kɪt, ′hɑ:ɪt; Cai. ′hekəd]
1. Gen. of cattle: having a white face, or one spotted or streaked with white (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 425; Abd. 1869 J. Morton Cycl. Agric. II. 723, Abd. 1956); sometimes applied also to horses (Ags. 1767 Aberdeen Jnl. (21 Dec.), 1790 D. Morison Poems 112) and other animals.Sc. 1701 Edb. Gazette (2 Jan.):
The abovementioned Glendey, and one Nicknamed The Halked Stirk, both notorious Robers, of the Name of M'donald.m.Lth. 1720 Caled. Mercury (5 Sept.):
There was Stoln or Stray'd out of the Parish of Temple on Wedensday last, the 1st of September, 5 Oxen and a Hacket Quey.Edb. 1735 Broadsheet (4 Oct.):
Strayed on Wednesday last, a good humle haked Milk Cow.Sc. 1770 Hailes Ancient Sc. Poems 285:
Horned cattle are called hawkit when they have streaks on their skin, and particularly on their foreheads.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 238:
To see her bonny hawket cow, Clean sucked wi' that nasty sow.Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot xviii.:
How runs the hackit greyhound bitch now?Slk. 1827 Hogg Shepherd's Cal. (1874) xvi.:
A hawked ewe which . . . was standing over a dead lamb in the head of the Hope.Abd. 1873 P. Buchan Inglismill 30:
On your twa feet, an' nae upo' a' fours, Like ony haulket hummledoddy stirk.Abd. 1923 J. R. Imray Village Roupie 7:
The hawkit coo Crummie cam niest on the list.
2. Fig.: Foolish, stupid, harum scarum (Abd. 1825 Jam., Abd.4 1929, hackit).Abd. 1787 A. Shirrefs Jamie and Bess iii. i.:
Some rattle-scull I wad, like Geordy Will, Or haukit Ned that wins ayont the Hill.Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 6:
Now, Jock, haud aff your muckle ugly feet: There's some chiel at the door, ye hawkit brite.Abd. 1867 W. Anderson Rhymes 188:
We want Carnegie's councils now, that hawket, lucky chiel.
