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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.

HEISK, adj., adv. Also h(e)ysk, hisk. Nervous, excitable, agitated, flurried (Ork. 1929 Marw., h(e)ysk, Ork. 1957); excited, crazy (Ork. 1887 Jam., h(e)isk). Also in ppl. form heisket, id. (Ork. 1902 E.D.D.). Used adv. = haughtily, proudly (Ork. 1957). [haɪsk]Ork. 1915 Old-Lore Misc. VIII. i. 42:
Fae a' A'm hard o 'im, to he cerried 'is hade heisk, he waasna a ill body ava.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
When the mare heard the swine in the cart she gaed clean heysk.

[Orig. doubtful. Phs. for heist, pa.p. of heise, Heeze, v., 1. with substitution of Norse -sk ending. Cf. Heist, n., 3., and for the meaning cf. raised = excited.]

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