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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SKEICHEN, adj., n., v. Also skaichen, skechan, skichen, ska(i)ken, skiken. Cf. also Skitten. [′skiçən, ′skeç-, ′skɪç-]

I. adj. 1. Timid, easily scared, nervous (Abd. 1961 People's Jnl. (18 Feb.)). Also adv.Abd. 1887 Bon-Accord (4 June) 19:
The youngsters crulged aroun' to hear, Sae skichen grew at nicht wi' fear.Abd. 1961 Huntly Express (21 July):
Ilka breem buss an' tree stump wis leukit a bittie skechan at.

2. Fastidious about food, easily upset or nauseated (ne.Sc. 1970).Abd. 1953 Huntly Express (13 March):
Many people say that they canna stan' th' stuff, but mutton from a young sheep is good meat. Maybe these people are a bittie “skaken”.

3. Haughty, supercilious, contemptuous (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff.) 158.

II. n. 1. Fastidiousness or fussiness about food, a feeling of distaste or disgust for some edible (Bnff., Kcd. 1825 Jam.; Bnff., Abd 1970).Abd. 1920:
I got a skaichen at it.

2. Distaste in gen., scornfulness, haughtiness. Hence skichenfu, scornful, huffy, piqued (Mry. 1921 T.S.D.C.).

III. v. tr. To disgust, repel, nauseate, intr. to be disgusted, feel repulsion or nausea (Kcd. 1850; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 158; Bnff., Abd. 1970). Hence skaichent, skaikent, disgusted (Bnff., Abd. 1966), fastidious about food.ne.Sc. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
Ye winna skaiken me at it. The boy's skaikent wi' his drap brose. Ye're a skaikent brat.Abd. 1948:
The very smell o't wad skaichen ye.