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.
NICK, n.4 Also nikk, nekk (Jak.). The turn of the tide, the period of slack water at this time (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[Norw. dial. nekk, stillness, rest, the period of slack water at the turn of the tide; Faer. nekkaskifti, turn of the tide, O.N. hnekkja, to check, fall back.]