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.
PROVOKE, v., n. Also provock (Sh. 1753 J. Mill Diary (S.H.S.) 11).
I. v. As in Eng. Ppl.adj. provoking, tempting, tantalising, attractive. Derivs. ¶provokshin, -shon, n., provocation, temptation (Sh. 1966); provokesome, adj., provoking, irritating, annoying (Uls. 1966).Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 123:
'Tweel thy [tobacco] taste's no' sae provokin' 'Tween you and me.Dmb. 1844 W. Cross Disruption v.:
This was plump and plain and a wee provokesome.s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms xcv. 7, 8:
Gif ye wull heaer his voyce, hardanna your hairts, as in the provokshon, an' as in the daye o' temptatione.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (15 May):
Nae flesh and blüd can staand siccan provokshin, as A'm gotten da night.
II. n. 1. A provocation, incitement, challenge, invitation, summons.Sc. 1773 J. Ross Fratricide II. 589 (MS.):
By just provoke made ireful.Sc. 1824 Scott Letters (Cent. Ed.) VIII. 252:
You might justly think me most unmerciful, were you to consider this letter as a provoke requiring an answer.Sc. 1842 Blackwood's Mag. (March) 375:
He regretted to hear that Sunday was our only open day, but finally, summing up courage, he hazarded a provoke for Sunday.
2. A person or thing which causes annoyance or irritation, a nuisance, pest. Gen.Sc.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 131:
I'm an awfu' eedeit, a pure provoke to a' 'at belangs me!Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 86:
I once neeboured one of thae Bright Christian folk, and she was a fair provoke.wm.Sc. 1930 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 35:
Is that no' a provoke? An' me had my heart set on't.
