Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TRACK, n.3 Sc. form and usages of Eng. tract, an extent of time, land, etc. See P.L.D. § 63.2. [trɑk]
1. A continuing state, a settled and protracted condition (Sh. 1972). Obs. in Eng. since the 17th c.Arg. 1707 Arg. Justiciary Rec. (Stair Soc.) II. 222:
They found it proven that the panels were in a ‘track of adultry' with one another.Wgt. 1711 Session Bk. Penninghame (1933) I. 278:
There was a continowed tract of plunderings, quarterings, spoil and depredations.Sc. 1754 Erskine Principles i. i. § 17:
An uniform tract of the judgments or decisions of the court of Session is commonly considered as part of our customary law.Sc. 1858 Carlyle Frederick ix. i.:
A sudden tract of good fortune.
2. A period of time, a spell of weather. Also in phr. track o' time (Sh., Abd., Ags., Slg., wm.Sc. 1972). Now rare in Eng.Per. 1831 Perthshire Advert. (10 Feb.):
The weather during the month, has been in tracks of a few days, alternately frost and fresh.Ags. 1858 People's Journal (11 Sept.) 2:
After a track o' rainie weather.Abd. 1868 G. Gall MS. Diary (27 Oct.):
We had a long track of fine weather after.m.Lth. 1897 P. H. Hunter J. Armiger 67:
Anither track o' bad weather.Sh. 1928 Manson's Almanac 186:
Da aafil track o' wadder 'at dey hed aboot dat time.
3. An area of land, a district.Sc. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XIV. 612:
The sediment of the river had formed a considerable track of fine rich land.Rxb. 1917 Kelso Chronicle (9 Sept.) 2:
She cam frae the Lauder track.
4. A feature, a lineament (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Obs. in Eng.Sh. 1972:
Der no a track o his face laek his faeder.
