Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Swik(e, Swyk(e, n. Also: suik, sweik. [ME swik (c1220), swiche (c1250), suik(e (Cursor M.), swyke (14th c.), OE swic, swice. Also in the later dial.] Deceit; treachery. Also proverb. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 516.
& scho, that tacht wes thru gret swik, … mad ansuere sone … ‘Gyf me John the Baptist hed … ’ c1420 Ratis R. 1031.
Bot always serf hyme [sc. one's lord] elyk, quhill thow haf tan thi leif but swik c1420 Wynt. i 1636.
Owyde sayis in to that quhyle Wpe ras falshede swyk and gyle c1420 Wynt. vi 1794.
Swyke c1420 Wynt. vii 3023.
All tha That gert be art, or part, or swike, Bryn … this Erle Patryke 1618 Trial Isobel Inch 16.
She declarit that Margaret's suik was [etc.]proverb. 1460 Hay Alex. 343.
For swik of tressoun beswikis euir the self 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4056.
It is oft sene I say thé deirly brother That euerie swik oft tymes beswikis vther a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1399.
Sweik besweiks the self