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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RICKLING, n. The smallest, weakest animal in a litter, the weakling (G all. 1904 E.D.D.; Per., Kcb. 1968). Also in Eng. dial.

[Prob. of Scand. orig. Cf. Icel. rekling, an outcast. Thorson Anglo-Norse Studies I. 73 postulates O.N. *hrektingr from hrak-, wretched, worthless. Eng. dial. has variants rit, rut, ritling, which however may belong to some other word.]

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