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.
Quotation dates: 1632-1640
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Sq(u)ink, adj. [Var. of Squint adj.] a. Squink-eyed, suffering from a squint or strabismus. b. ? Oblique, at an oblique angle; ? built on a slope. The second quot. may belong in c below. c. fig. Not as it seems, not direct, straightforward or honest. —a. 1632 Lithgow Trav. (1906) 278.
Whereat the squink-eyed gunner perceiving his time drew the string … off went the piece and shot the crocodile —b. 1640 Lithgow Poet. Remains 191.
Squink devalling bord 1640 Lithgow Poet. Remains 201.
Nor is it [sc. the heavenly Jerusalem] compass'd with Jehosophat [etc.] … Indeed like Olivet it overtops This squink Hebraick citie —c. 1633 Lithgow Poet. Remains 88.
O! sad song! When equity is curbd; and squink respect Involues the trueth into a base neglect 1640 Lithgow Poet. Remains 193.
The concupiscence, of youths sqink-laid eye, Which lust begets [etc.] 1640 Lithgow Poet. Remains 230.
The very dunse, that yesterday was base, When having got an office, looks as hie … then will cast downe his face, and, squinke acquaintance, to have courtesie: This ruffian who did homage thee before Now thou must beck to him
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"Sqink adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/squink>
