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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rek(e, Reik, v.¹ Also: rei(c)k(e, reyk; ree(c)k(e. [ME and e.m.E. reken (1300), reeke (c1500), also rik (1538), OE réocan (north. réca).]

1. intr. To emit smoke. Also fig. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 855 (C).
With which byrnnyng now it [sc. Troy] rekys 1513 Doug. ii xi 34.
Thar followis a streym of fyre … Quhil al enveron rekit lyke bryntstane Ib. iii viii 131.
Ethna … Sum tyme thrawing owt, … The blak laithly smoke that oft dyd rys … and rekand as the pyk Ib. xi iii 82.
The fyrrys rekand to the sternys on hie 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 88/88.
As earth dois tremble, mountainis reikis, afraid 1639 Sc. Ant. III 133.
The loch and river are both seen to smoke and reecke signifing unto us that ther is a myne of brimstone under itproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 990.
It wilbe a gude fyre quhen it burns, it is beginnand to reik [etc.]fig. 1637 Baillie I 1.
In Ingland, to this hour … this fyre is yit reikand, and reddie upon occasion to brek out for the trouble of that church farder then ever

b. specif. Of a house: To have a fire burning on a hearth.Seen as a mark of habitation. 1633 Maxwell Mem. II 233.
The Earle of Arrall … myndis to haive his gift confirmit … of fyve schilling out of everie hous that reikis in Scotland or ellis ane kene foull 1682 Peden Serm. (1782) ii 36.
A man shall ride a summer day's journey within the shire of Ayr, and not see a house reek, or hear a cock crow, ere ye get reformation

c. To fill with, or be covered by, smoke emitted from a fire. 1572 Sat. P. xxxvi 115.
And therby garis ȝour kitchingis daylie reik 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 158/2.
By the sinnes of the offendaires making youre kitchein to reike 1649 Grant Chart. 459.
[To raise … the side wall chimney of] the great house [to such a height] that it reik not — 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. xxi 78.
Whill Mars the world affrights … with Iberian fyres the Alpes doe reik

d. To gar (another person's) rumpill reik, to thrash severely. Cf. mod. Sc. dial. to get it het and reekin, to be beaten severely, etc. a1568 Scott ii 148.
Thocht I had rycht nocht bot a rok To gar ȝour rumpill reik Behynd

2. To exhale or give forth vapour or steam, also a vapour-like cloud, as of dust. b. Of blood: To ‘smoke’ with heat. Also, transf., of a person who has shed blood freely. 1513 Doug. xi xvii 88.
Bot that Ene the feildis reik lyke tundir Of dusty stowr persauyt a far way 1665 St. Ninians Session Rec. I in M. J. Robb Scotch Whisky (1951) 14.
The witnesses … saw the caldron on the fyre, and a stand reikingb. 1513 Doug. viii iii 25.
And with a stew … blude sched and scalit new, Beand lew warm, thar full fast dyd reiktransf. 1639 Baillie I 220.
Boyne … yet reicking from our blood in the North

3. To be emitted or given off (out), as smoke, vapour, etc. 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 354.
Maist gros and vile enpoysonit cludis clatterit, Reikand like hellis smoke sulfurious 1562-3 Winȝet II 64/21.
Thai knaw thair stink to na man almaist … to be plesand, gif it stewit and reikit out naikit and plane

4. tr. To expose (malt) to smoke, to taint with smoke.Cf. Rekit ppl. adj. 14.. Acts I 337/2.
Malt makaris … mak baith evill and gude malt all togidder; … thai reyk it on the kill