Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†PELEK, n. Also paelli(c)k, pya(e)lick, peyailack, p(j)elek, pilek. [′p(j)elək]
1. The membrane of the roe of a fish (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., peyailack, 1908 Jak. (1928), p(j)elek, pilek), an immature or undeveloped roe (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 175, 1908 Jak. (1928)), a spent or discharged roe (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., paellik). Comb. liver-pelek, a dish consisting of roe membranes stuffed with fish-livers and boiled (Jak.).
2. Fig. in pl.: a pair of trousers, from the similarity in shape (Jak.). Cf. peerie breeks s.v. Peerie.
[Prob. dim. form of Pell, n.1]
