Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
STUNK, n.3
1. Now gen. in pl.: the stake in a game of marbles, the game itself (Rxb. 1921 T.S.D.C.; Fif., Bwk., Lnk., Kcb., Rxb. 1971); the cry when the winning player claims the stakes (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), hence by extension, as a v., to steal (Rxb. 1971).Lth. 1825 Jam.:
“Hae ye put in your stunk?” “I'll at least get my ain stunk”.Hdg. 1886 J. P. Reid Facts & Fancies 194:
See, there's the score; in wi' yer stunks.Lnl. 1949 J. Drummond Behind Dark Shutters xvii.:
They'd play stunks with their bools against the disk wheels.
2. In transf. sense: a large flock or gathering of birds, as of rooks at dusk (m.Lth. 1969 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 527, stonk). See etym. note.
[Also in Eng. dial. in form stonks, poss. a childish deformation of stock(s), a fund, store, contribution to a common fund.]
