Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPINK, n.², v.

I. n. 1. The chaffinch, Fringilla cœlebs (Slg. 1885 Trans. Slg. Nat. Hist. Soc. 62; Rxb. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.

2. The characteristic note of certain birds. Also in Eng. dial.Kcb. 1899 Crockett Kit Kennedy xxviii.:
The stone-chats cried Spink-spink-spink.

II. v. Of a bird: to utter the note ‘spink' (Bnff. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1892 Blackwood's Mag. (July) 113:
He spinks, and chatters, and vibrates his little quill.Sc. 1951 Scots Mag. (Nov.) 113:
A chaffinch is “spinking” on a branch of the tallest birch.