Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TAISCH, n. Also taish(e); and erron. form task. Any vision seen in second sight, esp. the apparition or ghost of a living person about to die; the voice of a person about to die (Sc. 1825 Jam.); second sight. Derivs. taishat(a)r, one who has second-sight, taishataragh, the faculty of second-sight. Gael. [tɑ:ʃ]Sc. 1785 Boswell Tour (7 Sept.):
Some women said to him, they had heard two taischs, that is, two voics of persons about to die; and what was remarkable, one of them was an English taisch, which they never heard before.Rs. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 III. 380:
The ghosts of the dying, called tasks, are said to be heard . . . the early or late completion of the prediction is made to depend on the period of the night at which the task is heard.Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley xvii.:
Is not his son Malcolm taishatr?Sc. 1823 Scots Mag. (July) 38:
The recent demise of his venerable chieftain confirmed his conviction of its being a Taish, (or shadowy anticipated funeral), and a very formidable one too.Sc. 1827 Scott Two Drovers i.:
You will bring more trouble on yourself with this Taishataragh.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxvi.:
He was himself Taishatar, or a Seer.Per. 1838 W. Scrope Deer-stalking 153:
Did you see your taishe, Peter?Sc. 1845 J. Grant Romance of War xxxviii.:
I saw the shot before it came, because there was a wreath before my een, and a' the power o' the taisch was in me.Fif. 1985 Christopher Rush A Twelvemonth and a Day 208:
'Those born tonight,' she croaked,'will have the taish.'
'What's that?' we gaped.
'The taish is the second sight - you see something happening long before it happens.'
