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.
RUNKER, n. Also runkar; rounker; and reduced dim form runkie. [′rʌŋkər]
1. The lump-fish, Cyclopterus lumpus (Abd. 1887 Gregor MSS., runkie; ne.Sc. 1903 G. Sim Fauna of “Dee” 225; Cai. 1904 E.D.D., runkar, Cai. 1968, rounker).
2. Applied to various species of wrasse: the gold-sinny, Ctenolabrus rupestris (Bch. c.1935 Fishery Board Gl., runkie), the rock cook, Centrolabrus exoletus (Ib.), the bergylt, Labrus bergylta (Mry.2 c.1930, runkie).
[Orig. obscure. Phs. connected with Runk, n.3 Cf. lump-fish.]
