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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HECKLA, HEKLA, n. 1. The dog-fish, Squalus acanthias (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., heckla).

2. A fisherman's tabu-name for the skate, Raja batis (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 102, 1908 Jak. (1928), hekla).

[Jak. suggests with probability, a fig. application of O.N. hekla, a cloak. Meaning 1. is doubtful.]

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