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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

STRICK, adj.², n.² Also streck; strict. [strɪk]

I. adj. Of a river, running water: rapid, swift-flowing. Also adv.Sc. 1701 Chrons. Atholl and Tullibardine Families (1908) I. 489:
The watter was not big, yet it run strick and was stony.Abd. 1795 Session Papers, Leslie v. Fraser, State of Process (29 March 1805) 60:
The said dike calms the water, while otherwise it would be a strict current.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
The stream's very strict, it runs rapidly.Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms lxxiv. 15:
Ye slakket awa the strick-rowin waters.Kcb. 1912 T. Murray Frae the Heather 65:
[To] rave through thy sinuous channel Like a strick rinnin' water tap flood.

II. n. Of a river, etc.: the most rapid part, the centre of the current (Dmb. 1958, streck). The 1700 quot. might however belong to Streek, n.¹Fif. c.1700 W. Macfarlane Geog. Coll. (S.H.S.) III. 220:
The Streik of the Harbour in, is North northeast, and out South south west.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
The strick o' the watter, the most rapid part of any stream.