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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

LUNK, adj.1, v.1 [lʌŋk]

I. adj. Tepid, lukewarm (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 318); of weather: close, sultry, as before rain or thunder. Also fig. Deriv. lunkie, -y, id., of weather (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Hence lunkieness (Ib.).Gsw. 1912 Scotsman (19 Jan.):
A close day is in this district sometimes called lunky.
Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xxxiii.:
Noo fu' o' zele, noo lunk.
Uls. 1953 Traynor:
It's a terrible lunk heat the day.

II. v. Only in pa.p. lunkit, -et, made lukewarm, tepid, half-boiled (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Lth. Ib. Add.:
Lunkit sowens, sowens beginning to thicken in the boiling.
Gsw. 1868 J. Young Poems 153:
Nane o' yer lunket, watery trash, But strong Bohea.

[Of Scand. orig. Cf. Norw. dial. lunken, mild, tepid, lunka, to warm slightly, pa.p. lunkad.]

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