Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1915-1944
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ESK, v., n. Also eesk, aisk, isk. See also Yesk. [ɛsk, esk, isk]
1. v. ‡(1) To hiccup (n.Sc. 1808 Jam., e(e)sk; Abd.14 c.1915, aisk). Vbl.n., e(e)skin(g), the act of hiccuping (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).
(2) To sob (Cai.9 1950, isk).Cai.7 1944:
She wis cownin an iskan.
2. n. ‡(1) The hiccup (Mry.1 1925, aisk); (2) a sob (Cai.9 1950).(1) Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 27:
Foo lang wull ye lead th' nicht? Ye wull ca th' puir chiel fussionless, an' gar him tak' th' esk.
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"Esk v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 1 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/esk>
