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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

KINK, v.¹, n.¹ Sc. usages:

I. v. To bend, to twist, in various specif. and fig. senses. Gen.Sc.; of wood: to warp (Fif., Cld. 1880 Jam.; Ags., Per., Dmf. 1960); ¶to bow, to yield; to move in a zig-zag manner.Hdg. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle 247:
At Sic'ly, an' the Swaidish throne, We made King Gustavus kink!Sc. 1926 H. M'Diarmid Drunk Man 32:
The brute's awa' Wi' me kinkin' like foudrie ahint.Fif.¹⁰ 1942:
That panel's ettlin' to kink.

Comb.: kinkin-pin, = kinch-pin s.v. Kinch. Phr. to turn the kinkin pin upon, to exert pressure on, “put the screw” on (Sh. 1960). Cf. Kinch, v., 1.Abd. 1875 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 164:
Say't ye winna dee't, an' I'll ken fat wye to turn the kinkin pin upo' ye at ance.

II. n. A bend, loop, coil, crease, fold (Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor), lit. and fig. Gen.Sc.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends xi.:
The kinks o' skin on his cheeks gradually developed into the auld dimples as the shrinkage o' his flesh disappeared.Sc. a.1890 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) XIII. 240:
Her little tartan shawl In a kink at her throat.Sc.(E) 1925 H. M'Diarmid Sangschaw 41:
Mountains and seas Birl under his wings Till a' gaes in a kink O' skimmerin' rings.

Comb.: ¶kinkholm, kinkom, a local name given in e.Per. to the third part of a Plough-gate, an area of land sufficient to make a farm for one person. See Plough. [Appar. from kink, the land referred to lying in the angle or loop of the confluence of the Rivers Ericht and Isla, + holm, Howm, a stretch of level ground on the banks of a river.]Per. 1727 Caled. Mercury (24 July):
The lands of Lochblair, in the Parish of Blairgowrie, and two Kinkoms, or two thirds of one Plough, in Coupar Grange, in the Parish of Bennothie both in the Shire of Perth, are to be judicially exposed for sale, by Authority of the Lords of Session.Per. 1749 Ib. (7 Feb.):
Two Kink-Holms, or Third-Parts of one Room in Couper-grange.