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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.

KEEK, n.2 Also Keeg, keig, caig. A cunning, sly, or malicious person (Mry. 1925; Abd. 1941); also applied in contempt or opprobriously to a young woman, a jade, a vixen (Abd. 1911 Weekly Jnl. (20 Jan.)); a flirtatious, spirited young person (Abd.30 1959). [kik, kig]Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 124:
Ye rampin' keegs, black be ye're fa', Ye plague a body ane an' a'.
Abd.14 1915:
Ye vile keig, ye! On Deeside a girl may be called a caig o' a quynie, a jade of a lass.
Kcd. 1932 L. G. Gibbon Sunset Song 22:
One of the queans was Faith, and faith she looked a daft-like keek.

[Etym. uncertain. ? From Keek, v.1, to peer, pry. Cf. Keekum.]

16209

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