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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Knok, n.² Also: knoke, knock. Pl. knok(k)is, etc., and knox. [ME. knok(ke (1377), f. Knok,v.]

1. A sounding blow, a stroke or hit. c1420 Wynt. i. 1616.
He gert bestys wndir yhoke Thole brodys sare, and mony a knoke [C. knok] 1535 Stewart 27109.
With kene knokis ilk ane on vther quellit 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1560 (B).
Thy heid sall beir a cuppill of knokkis [Ch. knox] Ib. 1659.
Thay knavis sowld ken my knokkis [Ch. knocks] c1550 Id. Meldrum 1359.
That men on far micht heir the knokkis Like boucheouris hakkand on thair stokks a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1123.
Manie maister quo the padok to the harrow quhen ilk a tynd gat her a knok

2. A knock on a door etc. a1540 Freiris Berw. 154.
His knok scho kend and did so him in lett 1617 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 298.
They will heare twentie knockis befor they will anser one

b. The ‘six knocks’ required by law in serving a summons. 1540 Acts II. 359/1.
Quhare ony officiar or schereff in that part passis at the command of the kingis lettrez … to summond ony party … thai sall pas to the ȝett or durr of the principale duelling place … and … gif thai gett na enteres thai first knokand at the dure vj knokis thai sall execute thair office befor famous witnesses … and affixt the copy vpoun the ȝett … quhilk salbe … sufficient summoning 1567 Ib. III. 9/1.
Becaus I culd nocht apprehend thame personalie I lauchfullie … summond thame … at the samin duelling places respectiue abonexpremit eftir that I had knokit sex knokis at ilkane of the ȝettis thairof respectiue 1637 Morison Dict. Decis. 12265.]
[The reason of reduction was, that the horning purported not, that six knocks were given at the rebel's dwelling-house, as in custom is requisite; and that the register of hornings … purported no such record of adhibiting of knocks 1668 Old Ross-shire 79.
I could not apprehend them personallie efter knocking six severall knocks at their most patent doors 1671 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 84. 8 Feb.
[The officer to fix a copy of the said precept] not only on a lokhot of ther dwelling houses after knocking sex knokes theron if they cannot be gotten personalie apprehendit [etc.] 1679 Morison Dict. Decis. 3695.
[That the executioun is opponed … requiring only six knocks when the executor gets not entry 1707 Ib. 3770.]
The Lords … found the bearing only of three knocks … instead of six, was a nullity of the execution

3. concr. A knocker on a door or gate. 1587 (1600) Reg. Great S. 360/2.
To give ane actuall possessioun … be delyuerance of ane penny and the knok of the foiryet of the said Sanct-Thomas-land 1591 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 436.
Ane knock to the stepill dure with … ane naill to chap on c1650 Spalding II. 409.
Oure toune's people began … to knyt to till the knokis of oure yettis the like rip of oatis 1649 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 216.
To put knoks upoun the twa dooris of the liberarie 1683 Ellon Presb. 223.
The utter gate [of the manse had a] knock