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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KECK, v.1 Also kick (Watson). To draw back from an offer, bid or undertaking, to resile (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).Sc.(E) 1873 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 12:
Welsh in a bargain winna keck — A gaffer that I weel respeck.

[Orig. doubtful. n.Eng. dial. has keck, to tilt backwards, to jerk oneself back, Norw. dial. keika, to bend backwards, swerve, twist. But the word may have become confused with kick, colloq. = to rebel, to object, and cf. also Cock, v.2, note, of which this may poss. also be an alternative onomat. form.]

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"Keck v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/keck_v1>

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