Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DEK, adj. num. Used by the shepherds in the hill districts of Dmf. for ten (Dmf. 1922 Rymour Club Misc. III. 108); “known in Biggar about 50 years ago” (Lnk. 1933 J. R. Stewart in Letter). The forms dick, dock, etc., occur in n.Sc. counting-out rhymes, see W. Gregor in Trans. Bch. Field Club (1887–90) I. 197. Also found in n.Eng. dial.
[Of Celtic origin: cf. Gael. deich, Ir. deic, Welsh deg. See also Baombe. S.Sc. usage derives from Welsh shepherds in n.Eng. a.1600.]
