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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sok(k)at, n. Also: sokket, soc(k)at, socket(t. [ME and e.m.E. soket (13 … ), socket (1523), AF soket dimin. of soc a ploughshare (Sok n.³).]

1. A spear- or lance-head; also attrib. with hede. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 352.
To Henry, lorymar, for sockatis and dyamandis to the speris 1535 Stewart 41391.
Than with the speir … He hit the king richt in at the e, The scharpe sokkat syne throw his heid is gone 1535 Stewart 48363.
The scharp sokat out throw his bodie thrangattrib. 1504–5 Treas. Acc. II 477.
For xxvij sokket hedis for the bar and tournaying xxvij s.

2. A hollow part forming a holder into which something is fitted. 1511–12 Reg. Soltre 165.
Pro le sokkattis sepulture Dominice 1598 Treas. Acc. MS 85b.
Poildane to be sockettis to the standart 1695 Soc. Ant. II 235.
[Funeral expenses.] To ane taylor for … shewing the socats to the theans on the horses ears

b. The part of a candlestick into which the candle fits or perhaps a type of candlestick.Consisting of the candle-socket fixed to a base. 1683 Inv. in Donibristle Mun. (Earl of Moray's MSS) 1 (9-10 May).
Thrie guilded sconcess without socketts 1685 Soc. Ant. LVIII 363.
8 peuther candellsticks. 8 peuther sockets. 12 brass candelsticks. 2 brass sockets

c. transf. c1680 McWard Contendings 354.
While ly-bys will stink away in their sockets