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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LECK, n.¹, v. Also lake (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 52), laik, le(i)k. Sc. forms = Eng. leak. [lɛk]

I. n. 1. As in Eng. (Sc. 1700 Seafield Corresp. (S.H.S.) 303, laik, 1817 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 339, leck, 1887 Jam., lek; I. and ne.Sc., Ags., Bwk. 1960). Phr. a leck of tea, an infusion of tea, enough to go round a company without refilling the teapot (Uls. 1953 Traynor). Cf. v., 3.

2. A round board of the same diameter as the vessel placed on top of a cheese in a cheese-vat, sc. through which the whey leaks.Sc. 1855 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. I. 609:
The cheese vat and circular board, locally [Gloucestershire] called “suity boards” (Scotticè, “leaks”).

3. A vessel in which bark for tanning is steeped, “from which the tan-liquor is drawn off for use” (Jam.). Cf. v., 3. Hence lek-ee, see 1887 quot. and Ee, n., 2. (2) (d).Rs. 1712 W. McGill Old Ross-shire (1909) 132:
Harne yarne ane large canas and 3 leiks.Sc. 1758 Caled. Mercury (29 April):
The Tannery and Skinnery of Miltown-green … consisting of … one Bait-hole, twelve Fats, twelve Handlers, and three Lecks.n.Sc. 1803–4 Sc. N. & Q. (2nd Ser.) II. 127:
In an old newspaper an advertisement of a mill to be sold mentions, among other things, 4 Lakes. 6 lakes were found mentioned in the sale list of the implements of a tan work in Thurso, under date Apr. 27 1803 and 5 lakes of one in Old Aberdeen, April 25 1804.Sc. 1887 Jam.:
It is so called because the liquor leaks or filters from it into a side-chamber called the lek-ee; and from this well it is drawn off to the tan-pits.

II. v. 1. As in Eng. (Sc. 1825 Jam., leck; Uls. 1953 Traynor; I. and ne.Sc., Ags., Bwk. 1960). Adj. l(e)aky, applied to a peculiar tide in the upper part of the Firth of Forth which seems to lose water temporarily before a full tide and to gain it before the ebb tide (see quots.), and also used subst. for such a tide (Slg. 1960).Clc. 1710 R. Sibbald Hist. Fife 39:
In Forth there are, besides the regular Ebbs and Flows, several irregular Motions, which the Commons betwixt Alloa and Culross … call the Lakies of Forth.Clc. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIV. 612:
This is what the sailors call a leaky tide, which happens always in good weather during the neap tides.Slg. 1836 Justiciary Reports (1838) 237:
There was what was called a “laky” tide.Fif. 1863 Edb. New Philosoph. Jnl. XVIII. 230:
When the tide begins to ebb before high-water mark, and after receding a short distance, returns to high-water mark, or when, before low water, it flows for a short time and then ebbs again beyond the point from which the irregular flow started, a storm is believed to be near. These phenomena are vulgarly called Leakies. This prognostic is more particularly trusted on the shores of the Firth of Forth above Burntisland.

2. Of rain: to fall intermittently, to pass in occasional showers, esp. in ppl.adj. laikin, showery, intermittently rainy, and adj. laiky, id. (Sc. 1818 Sawers; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Ork., Slg., Uls. 1960).Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Laikin showers are such as fall now and then, as distinguished from a tract of rainy weather. Laiky weather conveys the same idea.Sh. 1913 Old-Lore Misc. VI. ii. 112:
There is an interesting communication from Foula in which an old man is reported as repeating: A jappy January, A misty May, A frosty February, And a warm June, A windy March, Mak the corn A lakin' April, And grass grow soon.Rxb. 1922 Kelso Chron. (5 May) 2:
“A leaky May and a warm June brings on the harvest very soon.” Well, we have had lots of leaking of the skies lately.

3. To pour water over bark or other substance to obtain a decoction, to draw off liquid in which something has been steeped (Cld. 1825 Jam.).