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.
Quotation dates: 1941-1950
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DURKEN, v. Also durk, †dark. To become disheartened, disinclined. With on: to shirk (Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 70, durken; Cai.3 1950); of fish: to be disinclined to take the bait, to cease biting. Ppl.adj. darket, dull, downhearted (Sh. a.1888 E.D.D.).Cai.9 1950:
"Ye didna go till Wick 'e day?" "No, I durked on id."Bnff.2 1941:
The herrin' hiv durkit; there wiz nithing bit black yarn th' day.
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"Durken v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/durken>
