Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡GAIBLICK, n. Also giblick, gaiblek, †giblich. [′geblɪk, ′gɪb-]
1. An unfledged bird (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., g(a)iblick; ‡Rxb.4 1953), “especially of the smaller species” (Rxb. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.), an unfledged crow (Rxb. 1825 Jam., (raw) giblich). Also gaiblet (ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. c.1885 W. Laidlaw Poetry & Prose (1901) 60:
A blackie's nest. It had four gaibleks — puir wee things!s.Sc. 1933 Edb. Ev. News (25 May):
This pair, whose nest was closely packed with “gaiblicks,” have made their home conspicuous among the shining foliage of the holly.
2. Fig. A nickname applied to a scholar at the Nest Academy, Jedburgh, a boarding-school under the headmastership of Dr Fyfe (c.1850–1910), viz. Fyfe's gaiblicks, The Nest gaiblicks (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[From *gaib = Gab, n.1, 2. (1), mouth (cf. Rxb. Gaible for gabble, above) + extended dim. suff. -lick, -leck, with reference to the comparative largeness of the mouth of very young birds. Cf. Gebbie, Gorbal.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Gaiblick n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gaiblick>
