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.
MERKIS-DAY, n. A fair day, a feast day, a festival, a saint's day (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh.11 1951).
[Norw. merkedag, id., O.N. merki-dagr, one of the days with which the calendar is marked. The -is appears to be the Eng. adj. ending -ous. Cf. Sh. Norn merkis-diet, a remarkably ample meal.]