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.
Quotation dates: 1795-1821, 1899
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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.
