Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MURKEN, v., adj. Also morken (Jak.); murten. [′mʌrkən, ′mʌrtən]
I. v. To grow musty or mouldy, applied to grain or hay (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), murken, murten; Ork. 1929 Marw., murten; I.Sc. 1963). Ppl.adj. murken, morken(ed), murtened, mouldy, musty (Jak.; Marw.).
II. adj. Of grain or hay: musty or mouldy (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 150, 1908 Jak. (1928), murken, murten, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1963). Deriv. murkenie, id. (Sh. 1963).
[Norw. morken, decayed, rotten, O.N. morkna, to become wizened or decayed.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Murken v., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/murken>
