Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WICK, n.2 Also wik(e). An open bight or inlet of the sea, a small bay (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1914 Angus Gl.). Very common in I.Sc. and Cai. as a place-name, esp. as a second element, e.g. Wick, Lerwick, Sandwick, Marwick, Windwick, and in its Gaelic form in N.W. Scot. as Uig. [wɪk; locally wik]Cai. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VIII. 162:
Where wick is the terminating syllable, the place is not only maritime, but there is always, in the vicinity, an opening of the coast larger than a creek, but smaller than a bay.Sh. 1821 Scott Pirate xix.:
By air and by wick, and by helyer and gio, And by every wild shore which the northern winds know.Sh. 1899 Evans & Buckley Fauna Sh. 1:
These [inlets] are variously styled Wick, Voe, or Geo, according to their breadth and the nature of their surroundings.
