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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.

SPRACK, adj. Lively, animated, alert (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1971). Also in Eng. dial. Deriv. ¶spracksome, id. Chiefly liter., the evidence of oral currency of the word in Sc. being dubious. [sprak]Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley xliii.:
All this fine sprack festivity and jocularity.
Sc. 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 18:
A spankering speddart, steve and stark, Ay sprack to sprattle wi' her cark.
Abd. 1928 Word-Lore III. 147:
Tae say 'at Johnnie files drew some on a spracksome imagination wid be a leesome wey o' pittin' 't.

[Mid.Eng. sprakliche, smartly, appar. ad. O.E. *spræc, unmutated form corresp. to O.N. sprækr, active, lively.]

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