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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

VIK, n. An inclination, trait, disposition, gen. in comb. ill-vik, a disposition for evil, a bad spirit (Sh. 1973).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Der'r a ill vik in him.

Freq. in ppl.adj. ill-vik(k)et, -vickit, -ed, veekit, -vedyid (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 152), -veed (Ork. 1929 Marw.), -veetrid (Ork. 1950), of persons or animals: prone to do mischief, ill-disposed: wicked, perverse, troublesome, malicious (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw., -veekit; Sh., Ork. 1973), of things: intractable, troublesome, difficult, also of speech: spiteful, full of malice. Used imprec. in deriv. phr. ill-veekities on, confound —!, blast —!Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 248:
Dat Girzie wis an ill-vicket craetir.
Sh. 1897 Shetland News (12 June):
Ye sood a' mak fewer illvickit remarks.
Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 229:
The ill-vicked coo haes short horns.
Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De boat wis ill-viket to row.
Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Ill-veekities on dee!

[Orig. obscure. The variety of the forms suggests that several different words may have been confused.]

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