Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLEEK HOURS, n.phr. (See quot.) Known to Ags.¹1937.Ags. 1897 Scotsman (15 Jan.):
Defender contended that he had justifiably dismissed pursuer on account of gross insubordination, in that he refused to work what were known as “cleek”hours, this meaning the keeping of horses in the field and having them yoked for not less than ten hours a day. His Lordship said he thought a master was entitled to compel a ploughman to work “cleek” hours at harvest.