Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1828-1938
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LILYOAK, n. Also -ock; -aik (Per.). The common lilac, Syringa vulgaris (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Rs., ne. and em.Sc., Lnk., Dmf., Rxb. 1960).Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch (1898) xxii.:
The withering branches of lily-oak.Ags. 1864 Arbroath Guide (23 Jan.) 2:
I held on by ane o' th' lily-oak trees that grew in front o' the kirk.Lth. 1883 M. Oliphant Ladies Lindores xvi.:
You take the left hand at thae lily-oaks.Lnl. 1910 J. White Eppie Gray 4:
Ivy and lilyock sae sweet.s.Sc. 1938 Border Mag. (Jan.) 13:
April before the glory of the lily-oaks (for who that knew them in those days would call them lilacs even now?).
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"Lilyoak n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/lilyoak>
