A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
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Luke, Luik, v. Also: lok(e; luk, lwk(t, luk, (luken), luc-; luike, luick, luyk(e, lwik, lwyck; louke, lowk(e, louck, louick, (lauk); look(e, loocke; leuk, lewk, lewik, luuk. P.t. and p.p. lukit etc. P.t. also lukyit; luikt, lokt. P.p. also lookt. [North. ME. luk(e (14–15th c.), ME. loke(n, lokien, lowke (14th c.), look(e (15th c.), OE. lócian.] To look.
1. intr. To direct one's sight in a certain direction. a. With various advs. or adv. phrases.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii. 2911.
Cassamus lukit on ilka syde c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 225.
On syde scho lukit wyth ane fremyt fare c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5958.
Than sall he luke on his left hand And say onto that bailfull band, Pas 1560 Rolland Seven S. 958.
Sa fordwart come Dioclesiane rydand And lukis on far saw his father cumand c1590 Fowler I. 59/35.
So lwiking heir and thair agane to this and to that syid a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1635.
There is time to glie and time to looke even(2) c1515 Asl. MS. I. 304/20.
His wyf luking abak c1590 Fowler I. 66/218.
One who … With one fwte fordwart goeth on, yit after with his ee Dois backwart lwkt 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 241.
The said capitane … strak the said Johne Douglas … and said for his lyiff luck not back againe(3) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 1103.
He … lukit a-bout that na mane Ware nere by 1560 Rolland Seven S. 440.
Quhairfoir luk ȝe sa fast about? 1624 Misc. Abbotsf. C. I. 138.
The said Margaret luked about and sawe ane cuming up the burne(4) c1420 Wynt. viii. 4522.
Thai lukyd behynd 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I. 93.
The iluikit behind tham to sie quhat thow was doand(5) 15.. Wyf Awcht. 11.
Quhen he come in he lukit bend(6) 1375 Barb. vi. 667.
Vith that the Kyng lukyt hym by And saw [etc.] a1538 Abell 84 b.
He lukit by the gait & he saw [etc.] 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1558.
Thow did na thing bot luikit by And lurkit lyk a wyly fox(7) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvii. 326.
Thane keparis of the presone … thru smal holis lokit done c1475 Wall. v. 146.
Kerle beheld on to the bauld Heroun, Vpon Fawdoun as he was lukand doune 1624 Crim. Trials III. 571.
[Believing] that the al-seing eie of the Almychtie did nocht luik doun(8) a1400 Leg. S. xii. 145.
As he was lukand forthyrwart He saw [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I. 21/11.
If no eagill evir soreth hyer Nor forthir luikt(9) a1500 Henr. III. 114/9.
I lukit furth a litil me befor And saw [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 308.
I salbe laith to lat him le quhill I may luke furth 1513 Doug. ii. xi. 87.
My fader than lukand furth throw the sky Cryis on me fast, fle son 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6941.
In hir windo luiking furth hir alone 1567 G. Ball. 94.
The Lord lukis furth of his heuinlie sait 1600 Crim. Trials II. 180.
This deponar saw his Majestie loukand furth at ane windo of the round, wantand his hat(10) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 10.
Me thocht Aurora … In at the window lukit by the day 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 24.
And thei luket bayth in at the dur at aneis(11) 1456 Hay I. 303/15.
A trety of proprieteis … that salbe gude and prouffitable for all men that on lukis(12) c1450-2 Howlat 63.
Be I seyne … To luke out on day licht c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 501.
Lukand out at het and stinkand durris a1508 Kynd Kittok 27.
Sche lukit out on a day and thoght rycht lang To se the ailhous beside 15.. Lord Fergus' Gaist 43.
To luke owt at the littill boir(13) a1500 Seven S. 1040.
Than at that wyndo was all hir sport To sit and se and luke ourethort(14) a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 628.
Bot at the laste vpe can I luke To the tempil a1500 Seven S. 102.
He lukit wp sa ernistlye 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4189.
Heir sall he luik up to his marrowis that ar hingand 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 335.
He … luikit braid vp [Trans. luikit vp braid] with his eyen a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 343 (L).
I luikit vpoun lofte a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 409.
Of false persons … He lookes up with the one eye and down with the other
b. With prepositions.To luke on or upon, to look at; to watch; to examine or peruse (a writing). To luke to, till, unto (= at).(1) 1375 Barb. iii. 579.
Men mycht se mony frely fute About the cost[is] thar lukand c1475 Wall. x. 7.
The hycht thai tuk, and lukit thaim about a1578 Pitsc. II. 79/19.
Takand the air and luikand about him and seand the cuntrie c1650 Spalding I. 24.
They … circumspectlie luikit round about tham wp and doun, within and without(2) c1420 Ratis R. 1042.
Luk nocht hire browis oft betwen Quhill thow have at Dam Reson ben(3) ?1438 Alex. ii. 3442.
Quhen the King had said him sa, He lenit on him and lukit him fra(4) a1400 Leg. S. xiv. 30.
Sancte Lucas … mad a buke To thame that lykyt thare-in to luke 1535 Stewart 101.
As in this libell thow sall se quhen thow luikis 1562-3 Winȝet I. 13/26.
We … beseikis thi Maiestie … to luke in the mirrour vnderwryttin 1616 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 188.
Quhen she cam she sould luik in hir face and tell hir [etc.](5) ?1438 Alex. ii. 2716.
[A] cowart … dar nocht luke on the battale Ib. 8734.
Thare nedit na leche on thame to luke a1500 Henr. Fab. 2493.
Lowrence durst not luke vpon ane scheip c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 388.
Alse lang as he wes on loft, I lukit on him neuer 1513 Doug. i. vii. 86.
As he lukit on the wark percace 1535 Stewart 28641.
At the first blenk tha did vpone thame luke, … tha forȝet all blythnes 1551 Hamilton Cat. 26.
He is like unto ane man, that behaldis his bodaly face into ane myrrour, for alssone as he hais lukit on him self, he gais away and incontinent foryettis quhat his fassioun was, bot quha sa lukis on the law of perfite libertie [etc.] 1594 Misc. Bann. C. III. 168.
Wallace … throw maist wilfull furour only lukand on it [the battle](b) 1551 Prot. Bk. W. Corbet (S.R.S.) 15.
Bot lwyk ȝe apon it [a badly drawn will] and, geiff thair be ony thyng at ȝe thynk nocht rycht, do as ȝe wyll 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5384.
The empreour … wryit his face and wald not on him luik Ib. 7402.
Vpon na man with patience he micht luik 1561 Bk. Univ. Kirk I. 9.
We … beseiking your honours … to luik upoun these our few artickles 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. .
Quhilk milknes, fra thow hed anes luikit thairon … wald na wyis yirnn 1614 Breadalbane Lett. 7th Dec.
I desyre that the signature may be luikit on to sie quhither thair be power in it to heid and hang or no 1632 Justiciary Cases I. 204.
[They] war playing ane bonspill at the golf … the said umquhile Thomas than being within the said kirkȝaird luiking thairupoun(6) 1533 Bell. Livy II. 41/21.
Gif ȝe dar nocht ische, at leist luke oure ȝoure wallis 1558-66 Knox I. 39.
To curse all that looke ower our dick 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 127.
Quhen thow com over the watter of Ithen, thow luikit over thy schulder 1600 Crim. Trials II. 174.
Loukand ouer the chalmer window, he saw [etc.] 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS. 24 Sept.
To louk with ane candill ouer the parpan(7) 1375 Barb. iv. 321.
Than lukit he awfully thame to, And said, gyrnand, Hangis & drawis! c1450-2 Howlat 900.
He lukit to his lykame that lemyt so licht 1456 Hay II. 45/23.
As drede … gerris a person cast downe the hede, and luke to the erde c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 965.
He lukit till his hors baith hie and law, Said, This is nocht the king c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 126 (M).
I dar nocht luik to the knaip that the cop fillis For indilling of that auld schrew a1540 Freiris Berw. 99.
The gudwyf lukit vnto the freiris tway 1558-66 Knox II. 68.
The Frenche … laid thair deid carcassis … alang thair wall, … unto the quhilk, quhen the Quene Regent luikit, for myrth scho happit a1578 Pitsc. I. 358/22.
Allis sune as scho luikit to the said pictour scho knew the King incontenent 1588 Sc. N. & Q. 1 Ser. I. 37.
Bot also to thame that luikis meist scharplie to it [an eclipse] sall gaddir perpetuell blindnes 1600-1610 Melvill 24.
Coming fornent the kirk and luiking to it 1649 Sc. N. & Q. 1 Ser. III. 123.
When … he rose to see the cow and looked to her, he fand [etc.] Ib.
John Cleghorne … standing looking to them said, God save the cattle
c. The infin. used gerundially: (Fair, terrible, etc.) to luke on, upon. Cf. 6 d. a1400 Leg. S. x. 154.
Twa dragonyse that awful ware one to luke Ib. xliii. 110.
& in his hand [he] bare a buke The quhilk rycht fare ves on to luke a1500 Henr. Fab. 2825.
Thocht I vnhailsum be to luke vpon c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 22/10.
[Confession] makis the face of the saull and mynde … terrible to the devill to luke on c1500 Fyve Bestes 133.
To luke on him it did me sic delyte
d. quasi-tr. To look (a person) in the face. a1400 Leg. S. xix. 28.
Few du[r]ste luk hyme in the face a1540 Freiris Berw. 87 (M).
I durst never luik him in the face
e. fig. or in fig. contexts: To direct the attention, turn or fix one's (mental) regard.To luke hie etc., to aspire, set one's ambitions (high etc.). To luke on, upon, to, till, to think of, consider, examine mentally: cf. 2 k.(1) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 21.
Sum beckis full law … , Wald luke full heich war not the Sessioun c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 161.
Luke best about Quhen thow art hiest with the King 1562-3 Winȝet I. 12/32.
Thay … only luckis bakwart with the Israelitis to the potis of flesche in Egypt 1570 Sat. P. xiii. 10.
Quha that wald the mater vnderstand He man luke lawer and enter in the spreit 1580-92 James VI Lusus Reg. 54.
The man that lookis to hie throuch suelling pride a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1565.
Ye are lyk ane old maden, ye look aloft c1610 Melville Mem. 262.
Bot Mester George was a stoik philosopher and loked not far before the hand 1632 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 78.
Your jealous husband will not be content that ȝe look by him to another c1650 Spalding II. 290.
Neuertheles he began to luik about him, and to mak alss mony freindis as he could get(2) a1500 Henr. III. 115/36 (Makc.).
At luffis law I think a quhil to leit … And luk amang this lusty ladeis suet(3) 1533 Gau 101/31.
God hes lukit apone the powerte of his madine or seruand 1562-3 Winȝet I. 140/4.
Hald ȝit ȝour hand and luke a little vpon ȝour werkmanschip 1567 G. Ball. 33.
Behalding not thairfoir The present paine … Bot luke on that quhilk now ma not be sene 1569 Reg. Privy C. II. 5.
Thre degreis that ar discoursit on … quhilkis degreis wer severallie louked on c1610 Melville Mem. 106.
Bot anent the thrid head, that belanges vnto the Quen his souerane, it meritis to be weall loked vpon(4) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 892.
Of this Nero quha wald … Behald the dedis … And wald syne luk to Paule [etc.] c1420 Ratis R. 1341.
Men wyll luk to thi bounte than And als sone by thi werkis knaw Quhethir thow to wyce or vertew draw c1450-2 Howlat 750.
Now, Lady, luke to the leid that thé so leile lufis 1456 Hay I. 88/14.
In all thingis men lukis to the end, and quhen the end is gude of a thing, all is callit gude 1513 Doug. viii. Prol. 70.
Thocht byg be thar banys, Na laubour list thai luk till 1531 Vaus (1531) 3.
And quhow mony to baith the tane and the tothir, luke to the reullis of Donat 1549 Compl. 30/12.
Ve suld nocht leuk to the aige, nor to the ȝouthed of ane person 1551 Hamilton Cat. 155. 1567 G. Ball. 12.
Luke till Christis rychteousnes 1571 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxx. 141. c1590 Fowler II. 52/20.
God luikit to the penitencie of Job quhan he prayit for his freind 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 444.
The outward wasching in baptisme is not to be luikit to lichtlie 1649 Berw. Nat. Cl. XV. 349.
The parish is sex mylls of lenth, gif the outsteids thereof be looked to
2. In specialised uses with prepositions, prepositional phrases, or adverbs. a. To luke doun, to have a downcast or melancholy demeanour, to be downcast. c1500-c1512 Dunb. lvi. 12.
It is no glaid collatioun Quhair ane makis myrrie, ane vther lukis doun 1567 Crim. Trials I. ii. 512.
The said Erle standing at the barr, luiking doun and sad lyke, I plukit upon him and said [etc.] a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxx. 25.
Scho luikis doun oft ay lyk ane sow And will nocht speik quhen I cum in
b. To luke doun on (a person), to regard with disfavour, to hold in contempt. 1539 Prot. Bk. Sir J. Cristisone (S.R.S.) 66.
The said Thomas Leitht … sall cum to hyme and sa thir vourdis eftir follovand, guidman and broider, ȝe have lukit dovne one me … throcht certane vourdis of displessour I spak of ȝow at this kirk a1578 Pitsc. I. 290/20.
All wther secreittis and inventiouns that he could inwent contrair Lord Home and his brother to cause the Duike of Albanie looke doune on them
c. To luke eftir something, to look in a certain direction in the hope of seeing it. 1375 Barb. iv. 616.
Eftir the fyre he lukit fast And als soyn as the moyn wes past Hym thoucht weill that he saw a fyre
d. To luke eftir or for; To expect to see or receive; to count on, hope for, look forward to, anticipate. Cf. l below and sense 9.With single noun or pron. or in other constructions.(1) ?a1500 Rosw. & Lillian 36.
They knew of no remedie But looked after death daily 1533 Gau 37/19.
Ve lwik efter ane blissit hop and the glorious cuming of the greit God(2) 1560 Maitland in Cal. Sc. P. I. 572.
I know her Majesty doth loke for fryendly and good advise from your maistres 1567 Sempill Sat. P. vi. 88.
Dissaue not vs pure people of this land, Quha with ane gredie expectation Lukis for gude reformation at your hand 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. ii. 116.
Quhair as we culde luke for nathing bot plaine hostility from France(b) 1558-66 Knox II. 199.
It is nott to be supposed that all man will … so … serve his kirk … that thai luyke for no warldlie commoditie 1578 Anal. Scot. I. 294.
And swa luiking for your cumming a1578 Pitsc. I. 332/20. 1592–3 Reg. Privy C. V. 56.
The payment quhairof being daylie luiked for a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xv. 14.
Birds in thair bour Luiks for that hour [sc. sunrise] 1596 Dalr. I. 313/18.
Nathing bot straikis was luiket for Ib. II. 230/13.
Quhen betuene baith stranglie was disputed and peace was luiket for euer Ib. 285/5.
Quhen na help was luikit for Ib. 305/19. 1603 Moysie 20.
The Erle of Atholl … wes long luikit for befoir his comming 1600-1610 Melvill 134.
The Kirk was nather art [nor] part … in that mater, nather luiket for anie sic thing at thair being in St. Jhonstone a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 153. 1614 Misc. Bann. C. III. 209.
That he wes not to be luikit for that night 1615 Chron. Perth 17.
This ȝeir preceding, the frost was lang luikit for before it came 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 613, 615.(c) 1576 Reg. Morton I. 82.
Luiking for ȝour m. ansuer quhat we sall lowk for, committis ȝour m. to the protectioun of God 1593 Acts IV. 41/1.
That it may be vndirstand … afoirhand quhat obediens salbe louked for at the handis of the saidis landislordis [etc.] 1611 Reg. Panmure I. xxix.
His sone Sir Thomas … did many ȝeiris efter, ewir louk for his home cwminge, and it is said that thear did newir ane schipe come in Tay bot he lowked for his father, or word fra him 1621 Perth Kirk S. MS. 17 Oct.
Quhilk brocht the pepill wnder sick feir that they loukit for nothing bot to beand distroyit(d) 1596 James VI Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxiii.
Inquyre of thame quhither I may looke for peax or warre 1601 Conv. Burghs II. 123.
The wark of the making of the claithe … being expectet and lookit for at ȝour handis, we fynd that mater nocht so … dewtefulle haldin hand to as we hoipit for(e) 1653 Hibbert P. No. 15.
Lewking for ȝour m. favorabill ansser(3) 1568 Cal. Sc. P. II. 575.
Howbeit hir promeis was uderwys as I lokid for 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 36.
And thocht my speich haue perhappis bene langer than ȝe lukit for 1589 Treas. Acc. MS. (1588–90) 165 b.
Quhen the quene his hienes darrest bedfellow wes luikit for to arryve at Leith 1595 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 63.
Seing it is luiked for be all men that the said erll … sall obtene himselff relayce 1600-1610 Melvill 121.
Efter he fand nocht curt as he luiked for, he drest him to the ministers Ib. 227.
Be the contrar at our retourning loking for all guid & comfortable, we fund na thing les 1621 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 195.
e. To look about for, to seek. c1500 Barounis Lawis fol. 5.
This court has lukit for law 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4452.
For ane new lufe but dout sone ȝe wald luik 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 34.
[False friends] that stude with ȝow in battell louking for occasioun to betray ȝow, had not God bene ȝour protectour a1585 Maitl. Q. lxv. 5.
By cours of nature luiking for sum rest 1597 Montg. Suppl. 334.
The resett and conforte of the Spanishe armey, louked for and procurit be the said umquhile Hew
f. To look on, to watch, to be a spectator. a1500 K. Hart 543.
In mid the clois on luikand neir fyve hunder the kingis folk to ding and to suppryse a1568 Gyre-carling 32.
For to luk on quha sa lykis na langer scho tareit a1578 Pitsc. I. 199/10.
Sum vtheris of King Richartis armye stude and lukit on quhile thay saw quha had the victorie 1649 Elgin Rec. II. 434.
The examinators … sall … exerceise them in the same kynd, the master lookeing on
g. To luke over, to peruse or inspect, examine or consult (books, etc.). 1581 Burne Disput. in Cath. Tr. 142/16.
Ye vse to plenyie that the cair of your childrene and familie lattis you nocht luke ouer your bukes as ye vald c1610 Jok Uplandis Newis .
If yow will luik over all the old buikes a1681 Cargill Lecture & Sermon 19.
They [sc. wicked laws] must be looked over; if they haue not the character of justice and equity there must none of them be obeyed
h. To look out, or search, for. 1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 31.
That the proveist [etc.] … luik out for timber for building the smiddie
i. To look through (anything transparent or having interstices); to look into (throw) (a sheet of water).To look throw one's fingers (to), to pretend not to see, to connive (at).(1) c1450-2 Howlat 49.
I saw ane howlat … Lukand the laike throwe And saw his awne schadowe 1531 Bell. Boece I. xliv.
Thay luke and viseis throwe the cleir … watter(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 15.
Throw pykis of the plet thorne I presandlie luikit Gif ony persoun wald approche 1549 Compl. 68/5.
I closit my een to see gyf I culd lenk throucht my ee liddis(3) 1559 Knox I. 333.
To yow that … have exhorted us to this interpryse and yit have left us in our extreme necessitie, or at the least look throw your fingaris in this our truble as that the matter apperteaned nocht unto yow c1610 Melville Mem. 59.
For reuenge against the said Paip, he loked throw his fingers to the prechours of the refourmed religion
j. To luik throuch, to look over the whole of, to view throughout. a1585 Maitl. Q. xcv. 14.
Reioyse now, Deid, … Luik with thy piteous eine throuch all this land. … Vpon the lyk thow sall not lay thy hand
k. To luke to: To give attention to, devote oneself to; to see to, look after, take care of; to attend to, or look after, the interests of. 1456 Hay I. 28/24.
For he gert geve all benificis till all that wald mak cost thareon, tak and have, and lukit nocht to the gude clerkis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 281 b.
Blekerris … Quhilk to thair honestie full litill or nocht that luikeis c1490 Porteous Noblenes 181/14.
He … suld nother say nor do thing that … mycht menys his awne … honour gif he … lukit weile to him self that takis tent and kepe till all vther men 1567 Sat. P. iv. 189.
First luik to God, syne to ȝour libertie 1569 Bann. Memor. .
Feid France with fair words and luike alsmeikill to the admirallis factione as ȝe may c1590 Fowler II. 152/24.
[They] that ar in his conseill sall luik to thair awin … advantages 1605 Edinb. Test. XL. 15 b.
I haue nocht luikit to formalitie 1627–8 Red Bk. Menteith II. 75.
If materis be not mor strictly lookt to 1638 Johnston Diary (1911) I. 388.
Anie old landertman looking to his cornes 1641-8 Skipper's Acc. (Smettone) 24.
For the campneyes deners quhen they lowkit to the shep vpone the banck 3 li. 6 s 1642 Orkney Rentals iii. 25.
Ane nyntene yer tak … qlk being weill luiket to, it will be fund not lang to expyre 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 257.
She cryed to some servants to look to the barme and got cogs and kepped itproverbs (1) 1535 Stewart 3069. Ib. 3477, 19341.
He luikit nocht to ressone nor to ryme 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10528.
I count a man na better nor ane beist That rynnis on heid and lukis to na ressoun a1568 Bann. MS. 134 b/1.
Mony man makis ryme and lukis to no ressoun a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1169.(2) 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. fol. 20 b.
In all this warld thair is no moir ado Bot saull to keip and honowr to lwik to a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1235.
1. To luke to or till, = d above. c1420 Wynt. i. 177.
Quha doys noucht wytht devotyoune Hys det to God … Howe may he luk tyll other end Than Kayin dyde bot gyve he mende 1620 Kinghorn Kirk S. 18.
The mightie God luik to & requyer it at all those quha ewer his put & joynit them therto 1644 11th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. vi. 56.
That he may haue Gods glorie before his eis and louck moir to that nor to al that this wordil can giue him
m. To direct one's expectations to or rely on (a person, etc.). a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1089.
Luke never to a ragged lade nor a feltered fole 1680 Dunlop P. III. 9.
I will alow myselfe to loocke to the hills from whence my helpe hath com
n. To look upon or regard (something) as (a duty). In impersonal const. 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 607.
Lett it be leuked vpone as your Lordships deutey … to bring … oppressors … to … punishment
3. With advs. or adv. phrases of manner: To cast a look or looks in a manner expressive of a certain feeling or with a certain expression. Cf. 11 b. 1375 Barb. xviii. 37.
Schir Eduard lukit richt angrely And till the Sowlis said in hy ‘Quhat sais thou?’ a1500 Seven S. 1262. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 37.
Scorne … on me his babill schuke, Lukand with mony a dengerous luke Id. lviii. 9.
Bot, Lord! how petewuslie I luke Quhen all the pelfe thay pairt amang thame 1560 Rolland Seven S. 996. 1567–8 Crim. Trials I. i. 512.
Hald up your face … and luik blythlie
4. absol. a. To look on, watch, observe. b. To have the faculty of looking, to be able to see.a. ?1438 Alex. ii. 594.
For proper dispyte he might not luke a1508 Kynd Kittok 21.
God lukit and saw hir lattin in c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlii. 6.
I govit on that gudliest, So lang to luk I tuk laseir a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 218 (L).
Lang mycht I haiff luikit so Or Cupide cum agane 1600-1610 Melvill 22.
That ever I could haiff the abilitie to stand upe and speak when all helde their toung and luikedb. c1420 Wynt. v. 2110.
Yhon similakare … Can nowthire spek, luk na here c1475 Wall. vi. 468.
[He] couth weyll luk and wynk with the ta E a1500 Seven S. 1307.
A dwm child that can bot luke
c. In the imperative: See! Behold! Notice!Cf. Lo v. c1420 Ratis R. 49.
And fra thine-furth, luk, thai abate & fallys hail fra thare esstate 1513 Doug. Æn. Exclam. 18.
Lo, heir he failȝeis, se thar he leys, luyk [: buke, cruyk, nuyk]
5. With indirect question: To apply one's sight in order to ascertain, to look about to see, to discover by looking (if something is the case, where something is, etc.).(1) ?14.. Ship Laws c. 14 in c1420 Bute MS.
The maystyr is haldyn to luke qwhar he wyl ly a1500 Rauf C. 724.
To gar me cum to Parise To luke quhair the King lyis 1549 Compl. 40/8.
The master of the galiasse gart the botis man pas vp to the top to leuk far furtht gyf he culd see ony schips Ib. 154/10.
I am leukand gyf I can fynd my fathers hardyn pan amang thir dede mennis banis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 884.
Upon the sternis and firmament to luke Gif that veyage with godlynes dois stand 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. ii. 125.
Ventura videbant, they laukit quhat suld come of him 1588 King Cat. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 205/22.
The vse quhairof [sc. of the tide table] be this lowke quhat day of the age of the moone it is that day c1590 Fowler I. 47/3.
A man that stupid stands … and lwikis if anye man Be neir … to giwe him counsell a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 121 (L).
I ran als bissie for to luik Quhair fairleis micht be fund 1650 Brechin Presb. 36.
That … Catharin … desired her to … goe to the byr … and look what shee saw(2) 1535 Selkirk B. Ct. 202 b (7 Dec.).
I … leit the pur man his hors againe … and for his eld I lukit neuer
b. fig. (freq. in the imperative): To observe, notice. c. absol., in the phrase, gif thé likis to luke (= observe, take notice), etc. d. In the proverb luke or thou lowp, etc.: see also Lepe v.1 2 b (b), Lope v., Lowp v. 2 b (2).b. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4028 (Ch.).
Luke [B. Se] quhat it is to be evil deidie c1590 Fowler I. 49/55.
Than after lwik how cruell lowe and weked Dauid wan Ib.126/15.
And now I lwik how that the tyme dois pas 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 300.
Luke how great things is spoken in few wordsc. c1420 Ratis R. 522.
As Antecladyane the buke Can ken, gif thé lykis to luk Ib. 1524.
Thir wordis … In Laiting twng, quha lykit luk May find thaim in the salter-buk a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 60.
Worthie Chauceir in ioly veirs Compylit hes his [sc. Troilus']cairis, quha will luik a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 57.
He wes the caus of feill ferlifull deidis, As his legend beiris witnes, luke quho so list 1567 G. Ball. 16.d. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxvii. 2.
Who takis in hand by pen to prais a wark … Advysedlie sould luik then loup a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 444 (L).
Luik quhair thow lycht befoir thow loip Id. Misc. P. xxiv. 71. 1685 Acts VIII. App. 36/2.
I would look ere I lape, such ane affair was not to be medled with
e. fig. To ascertain, find out, try, judge, decide (if something can be done, whether something is so, etc.).(1) 1375 Barb. i. 350.
To luk gyff he, throw ony payn, Mycht wyn agayn his heritage Ib. vii. 64. Ib. viii. 419, ix. 210; ?1438 Alex. ii. 3071. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 93.
He vmthocht he wald luke Gyf he in sic corne cuth set huke c 1476 Lennox Mun. 106.
As to the schiref, yhe sall … luk effectusly gif he has kepyt al the poynttis contenyt in his commissione a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 175 (Harl.).
Sic skaffing may be callit mydding corn, Luke lele gif it be likand and lusty 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 116.
Luke gif ȝ our partie prydis thame in thair spurring 1573 Davidson Ib. xlii. 403.
Schir, luk ȝe and se Gif that the teindis of this countrie May not do all that we have tauld a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxv. 64.
Ȝeis luik I sall not lie a1605 Montg. Sonn. xlv. 3.
Look ony one before me loved so leill(2) ?1438 Alex. i. 844.
Lait it is to luke and sie Quhidder is better to byde or fle away 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 153.
Forestallars … open the fishe and lukes not quhither they be mysel or lipper fish or not(3) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1354.
Luke quhat laiks for his relief Or furder he infeck
f. Prefixed to interrog. pron. or adv., forming indefinite relatives or conjunctions.Luik how sone that, = as soon as ever. Luk quha, = whoever. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8974.
For luik how sone that Lodwik hard him speik, He said him self he was na langer seik a1568 Bann. MS. 286 b/6.
For luk quha ar in lufe most he Perchance may fynd the fyne salbe Pane
6. tr. To look at, into, etc. (as in intr. sense 1); to view, inspect, examine.Also, to inspect (something) to learn (if something is the case, etc.) (cf. sense 5); and, to look into (something) for (one of the contents).(1) 1375 Barb. i. 613.
He lukyit the seyle ententily 1503–4 Treas. Acc. II. 420.
To ane man that lukit the pailȝonis and dryit thaim and laid them in reul a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1088.
Love beginnis with a louse, lass come luke my head(b) (1593) Henr. Test. Cress. 348.
Than … scho … hir schaddow culd luik c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxix. 20.
My purs, Quhilk wald nocht lie and it war luikit a1578 Pitsc. II. 158/8.
He mowit wpe to the hill heid of Tarbitt … to awew and luik the congregatioun 1594 Highland P. I. 179.
In cumming … to Syme Nisbet his booth to luik an stick of browne velvet 1647 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 120.
Ordaines the brig to be luikeit be the deane of gild [etc.] … to try wha hes removit the stanes frait(c) a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 12.
A given horse should not be lookt in the teeth a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 112.(d) 1623–4 Peebles B. Rec. I. 411.
Quhen the proweist and bailyes lewikit the cowmane kist(2) a1500 Henr. III. 115/31.
Luk thow my laythly lycome gyffle(3) 1697 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 30 July.
The counsell recommends to the magistrates and stentmasters to look the charter chest for the copie of a charter
b. To view and attend to, to look or see to, to tend (a wound). c1475 Wall. (1570) ix. 57.
Leidis on lebuird … Lynis laid out to luik thair passage sound 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 29.
Without any, except souldiers, admitted to speak to me or look my wounds
c. To look at, examine, study or consult (a book, a passage in a book, a document, etc.). c1420 Wynt. i. h. of ch.
The diwisionis of all this buke In to this nixt chepture ye luke Ib. 489.
Quha lukys the bybille increly Off this may fynd a fayr story Ib. viii. 682 Ib. 2734, etc. c1420 Ratis R. Prol. 2.
Off the bybill the ferd buke Thai kest wp that cas to luke c1450-2 Howlat 295.
He gaf thir lordis belyve the letter is to luke 1492 Prestwick B. Rec. 18.
This to be lukit ȝerli … and tham at ar favty thar namys to be deliuerit to the ourman 1500 Acta Conc. II. 390. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 153/5. 15.. Clar. iii. 448. 1555 Peebles B. Rec. I. 224. 1567 Sat. P. viii. 56.
Luik the first letter of euerie wers 1574 St. A. Kirk S. 392.
M. Johne Winram, examinat, deponis that he hes lukit his bukis and can find nathing tharintil 1600-1610 Melvill 43.
We war verie fleyed our pasport sould haiff bein loked 1604-31 Craig ii. 88/9.
If thou digne but with a gracious smile, To looke my lines 1670–87 Sel. Biog. II. 348.
Our letters … were all looked many times though they had no orders for it
d.The infin. used gerundially: = To view, to look upon, to see. Cf. 1 c. a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 99.
The first wes the samyn Chantecleir to luke Off quhome [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8686.
Sa furth he fairis, ane liklie man to luik
e. fig. To consider, notice, have regard to. With noun or clause as obj. = 1 e.(1) c1420 Ratis R. 1596.
It is nocht swa, luk now my skill, Al thing changis at the wyll Of … God c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 2532.
The ȝoung … lukis nocht the perrell efterwart That ald men dois a1500 Henr. Fab. 1657, 60.
Luke weill in eirth all kynd of bestiall … Syne luke to man that He maid last of all a1500 K. Hart 87.
Thai … Behaldis nocht, nor luikis nocht, the deip, As thame to keip fra all misaventure 1533 Gau 19/18.
God lukis notht the wtuert richtusues quhilk mony keipis 1558-66 Knox II. 57.
Lord, thow wilt yitt luik and recompense sick tyrrannye a1568 Scott xxxiv. 1.
Ȝe blindit luvaris, luke The rekles lyfe ȝe leid 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 321.(2) c1460 Thewis Gud Women 270.
For natur drawis euir to kynd And lukis nocht quhat may cum behind c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxvi. 37.
Luke how the bairne dois to the muder And tak example be nane vdder 1560 Acts II. 531/2.
We aucht not sa mekle to luik quhat men befoir ws haue said or done as vnto [etc.] a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 400 (L).
7. To look for, to seek. a1500 Henr. Fab. 226/93 (Makc.).
I had leuer go schraip heir with my naillis … & luk my liffis fud Than [etc.] 15.. Sym & Bruder 72.
Our all the hous … The ladis come to luk him a1605 Montg. Flyt. 512 (T).
Sum luiking lyce in the croun of it keikis
b. To look or seek furth or out, to pick out by looking or searching. 1582 Conv. Burghs I. 137.
Cawse luke furth [marg. luke out] oure souerane lordis register 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV. 420.
[Promising] to caus louke out and deliver … the tickatt subscryvit be him upoun the resset of the … jewell 1596 Elgin Rec. II. 46. 1618 Boyd Fam. P. No.107 (27 July).
I sall luik out my faders buik at my home cuming as ye desyre 1666 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 6. 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 315.
8. fig. To see, make sure, take care (that) (something is so, etc.). Freq. imperative.(1) 1375 Barb. ii. 5.
He … bad him luk on all maner That he ma till his men gud cher Ib. 124.
Gyff his [sc. the horse's] ȝhemar oucht gruchys, Luk that thow tak him magre his a1400 Leg. S. xiv. 84. c1420 Ratis R. 813.
In syk tyme luk that thow be laith For to mak ony band or aith ?14.. Ship Laws c. 7 in c1460 Bute MS. Consail Vys Man 92.
Thai ar haldyn to luke at thair thyng be … certanly stowyt … befor thai wende oute of the havyn a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 58. a1500 Henr. Pract. Medic. 87. 1533 Boece vi. xiv. 214 b.
Luke that ye employ ȝoure strenth … to de vailȝeandlie 15.. Wyf Awcht. 28.
And ay as ȝe gang but & ben Luk that the bairnis dryt not the bed a1570-86 Maitl. F. xlvii. 8.
Luik preiching that thow glaidlie heir 1585–6 Waus Corr. 346.
Luik that grottis be maid aganis our hame ganging 15.. Crawford Mun. Invent. II. 60.
And luik that ye pretermit nothing(2) 1375 Barb. xii. 217.
Luk ȝhe na vay brek aray Ib. xviii. 512. a1400 Leg. S. xxii. 179.
& gyf he gruchis, luk he be Sone slane c1420 Ratis R. 112, 634. Ib. (S.T.S.) p. 174/10.
Faintly luk nocht thow fauld ?1438 Alex. ii. 2480.
Quhat tua thingis dois ȝow to dre Sorrow and pane. luke ȝe nocht le, … ? a1500 Henr. Fab. 2134.
And luke ȝour ene be clois, as thay wer out 1572 Sat. P. xxxiii. 355.
In tyme to cum, luick ȝe Begyle na man
9. To look for, expect, anticipate (of, or from, another). Cf. 2 d. 1558-66 Knox I. 4.
Yit … mon we crave of all the gentill readaris not to look of us such ane history as shall expresse [etc.] Ib. II. 91.
Gif ye luik of thame any uther fruit in tymeis cuming … we ar assurit ye sall be desavit 1596 Dalr. II. 237/19.
The mony promiset him … is numbret: and mony ma giftes not luiket … til our king war gyuen 1619 Thanes of Cawdor 249.
Thair is no lyfe luikit of him bot deathe
b. To expect (to do something), anticipate (that something will be done or take place).(1) 1565 Keith Hist. II. 328.
We luk to be certifit be you presentlie in write … quhat we may lippin for at youre handis 1568 Lyndesay Pref.
I haue seruit ȝour grace lang & lukis to be rewardit as vtheris ar 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. ii. 17.
At quhais handis we principallie loukit to resseave comfort in all tymes of daunger 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 547.
Louked a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxvii. 102.
Louk to be prasit as thow playis thi pairt 1582 Waus Corr. 241. 1593 Edinb. Test. XXV. 121 b.
I leif my saule to the eternall God and luikis to be sauit be na mene bot be his sone Jesus Christ 1598 Black Bk. Taymouth 3. 1599 Rollock Wks. I. 301.
Lukis thow ever to ryse again? a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1672.
Wint beguiled the ladie; quhen sche lukit to let a fart sche did worse c1650 Spalding I. 270.
His Majestie had indictit ane parliament in England, lukeing to haue gottin supply … to ryse aganist ws(2) 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary I. 133.
[Bothwell] is … making sum assemblies of men … quhilk we luke can be for na uthir effect but to comitt the like murther upone the sone as was upon the fadder 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III. 199.
[Firmly] louking [that … you will prevent the practices of the rebels] 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) .
I haue still luikit that sum of the bludy murthereris suld haue bene oppinly knawin or now 1576 Waus Corr. I. 138.
I lukit nocht that the tyme suld haif beyn drewin sa lang 1578 Acts III. 113/1.
Alwayis luiking that … the saidis compleneris suld not haue bene removit 1588 Crawford Mun. Invent. II. 192.
It is lukit he sall suffer ane assyise the tyme of the nixt conventioun c 1590 Douglas Corr. 35.
I looke ye uill not tyne tyme 1609 Crim. Trials III. 18. 1617 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 146. 1618 Haddington Corr. 137.
I luikit and lipnit that … I sould haife my remistioune 1619 Fam. Innes 210.
As for schankis … I leuk that ye will honor me … with the best ye have 1626 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II. 74.
Whilk lookeing assuredlie your lordshipis will do c1650 Spalding I. 29.
None luiking bot he suld haue deit 1662 Bentinck Dornoch 240.
Louicked
c. To look forward to, await (the time) when something will happen; to look forward to seeing how something will be done. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 27.
The Hamiltonis lukit ay quhen seiknes … sould cut him of without childrene a 1630 S. Leith Rec. II. 282/2.
We lowke how He will raise our bodies [etc.]
10. Of parts of buildings, natural features, or the like: To have or afford a certain outlook, to face or front to, toward or onto (on) something.1534 Bamff Chart. 65 (see Lutand). 1567 Inv. Q. Mary cxxvi. n.
Sche cam yesterday to ane windo of hir chalmer that lukkit on the hie gait 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Æn. vi. 631.
Adverso fornice, … fornent us, luikand to us 1588 Old Dundee I. 151.
Be putting on every cunȝie lookand toward the hie street ane knap with ane fyall thereupon 1596 Dalr. I. 31/18.
Quhair Argyle lokes to the sey evin to Lochfyn is full of hiche craigs 1611 Reg. Panmure I. xciv.
That syd [of the cross] quhilk lowkes to the east is dewydit be mwllers of steane in thre stages 1612 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 340.
Loukes
11. Chiefly of persons: To have the appearance of being, to seem to the sight or mind. Const. predic. adj. Also b. const. adv. of manner: cf. 3. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 178.
Thow lukis lowsy, loun of lownis aw Id. liii. 37.
God waitt gif that scho loukit sour a1568 Balnavis Bann. MS. 139 a/74.
Fra thow luk chest, adew that faist To hunt in to that schaw 1567–8 Crim. Trials I. i. 512.
Ye might luik swa and ye were gangand to the deid 1570 Sempill Sat. P. xii. 58.
Lythquo lament, ȝour burges may luke bauch a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxxix. 17.
Als semple luikis the subtill man As he that of na falsat can 1678 Wodrow Hist. IV. 502.
Things look very break-likeb. a1500 K. Hart 551.
Conscience luikit sa fellonlie Thay ran away out of his presence quyte
c. To look out (blith), to have a (gay) appearance or expression. 1661–5 Sel. Biog. II. 74.
At such a time, I am … to bod well and to look out blyth
d. To look as (= as if). c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 185.
He lukis as he wald luffit be Id. liii. 9.
He leuket as he culd lern tham a Id. lvii. 12. a1605 Montg. Sonn. xlv. 8.
They look as they wer lost
e. To look like, to resemble in appearance, to have the appearance of. 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3631.
This lymmar luikis als lyk a loun As ony that evir I saw 1585–6 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 438.
I found matters so far by my expectation, that I looked like one that had fallen out of the lift a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 112 (L).
So … childlyke … He luikit lyk ane sant Ib. 829 (Wr.). c1590 Fowler I. 110/188.
I … Did lwik lyke one who did adwance his fitstepps … To mak sum thingis he hes not sene c1600 James VI in Montg. Suppl. 352.
Ye sta away and luikit lyke Rob Stene a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 407.
Of fleyit persons … He looks like a Lochwhaber axe 1658 R. Moray Lett. 12/21 Jan.
I would perhaps move you to look like the far end of a fiddle to
f. To look or seem to the sight to be (with child). 1696 Cramond Kirk S. IV. 24 Apr.
She looked to be witchilde
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