Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
KILLICK, n. Also kyllick (Bnff. c.1715–1760 Factor's Account MS.). The “mouth” of a pickaxe (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 297); transf. a leading seaman in the Navy, from the anchor badge on his sleeve being likened to a pickaxe (wm.Sc. 1960).
[An unvoiced form of Gellock, n.1, an iron crowbar, q.v. The second meaning is rather an extended usage of Eng. killick, an anchor, which may be of the same orig.]
