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.
Quotation dates: 1877, 1949
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HELLEK, n. Also helyack, hellyik (E.D.D.), heljack (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); hejllik (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); heilig, heilik, heelik. The simple form hell(y)a is common in place-names. [′hɛl(j)ək]
1. A large flat smooth rock or stone, sloping down to the seashore, which sometimes forms a natural quay (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)); a coastline made up of such rocks (Sh. 1905 E.D.D. Suppl.); a large boulder in gen.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 4:
I'm been up an' doon ower dis heilik, an' roond aboot dis banks, fir da last tretty year o' my life.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 161:
He knew every stack and heilig, every “gio” and landing-place around the Ness.
2. Combs.: †(1) ta(a)hella, -ek (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), -heelik, -hejlla (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), a flat stone laid along the eaves of a house to keep out the rain or hold rafters in place [Norw. tag, O.N. þak, thatch, roof]; †(2) ufsahella, -ek, id. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)) [Norw. dial. ufs, eaves].(1) Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 125:
Noo, what du's da boarn fule duu bit reck up an' mitten a taa heelik aff o' da waa-hed.
3. Phr.: a hellek o' frost, a thin sheet of ice on the ground (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Norw. dial., O.N. hella, a flat stone, tableland of rock + -ek, Sh. suff.]
