Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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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.

Stink, Stynk, v. P.t. stinckett, stinked. [ME and e.m.E. stinc- (c1200), stinnk- (Orm), stink- (a1300), stincke (Shakespeare), p.t. stunnk- (Orm), stonc (Ancr. R.), stank (Manning), p.p. stynked (c1400), stunk (1624), OE stincan.]

1. To emit a foul smell; to reek. Also proverb.pres. 1494 Loutfut MS 31a.
Aspide is a maner of vennemus serpent … and quhen he strenȝeis ony with his teith that man suellis … And furthwith stinkis & rottis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2489.
Thir stewats stinks as thay war broks a1568 Bann. MS 145a/4.
I pray to God scho rott and stynk Sevin ȝeir abone the erd a1605 Montg. Flyt. 117 (H).
Falys strydand stickard, I will garr thé stink a1681 Welsh Churches Paradox 13.
I shall gar them … be harled to holes and dyke-sides where their carcases shall be stinking upon the groundp.t. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 101/48.
He stinckett lyk a tyk sum saed 1650 Brechin Presb. 23.
When shee went to milk the kow her milk was lyk the Keillstone [i.e. red], and it stinked and was salt 1650 Brechin Presb. 32.
Immediatelie thereafter the broust misbhreat [sic], the wirt theroff lappered thick and filthily stinkedproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1545.
Ye hav good skill of rosted wool quhen it stinks it is eneugh a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 201.
A still pule wil stink and ye steir it

2. fig. To be offensive or abhorrent. Also const. in(to) (the nose or nostrils (once, ears) of God, oneself, another).(1) c1420 Wynt.v 3906.
This is bot halesum medycyne For the [wodnes] off my syne That I have lyine stynkand in a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 291.
Thay stanis of tressone as the bruntstane stinkis c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 468.
Ȝour gredynes, it stinkis and fylis the air! c1680 McWard Contendings 354.
Such an heroick appeirance … would make you live and die ornaments to your profession, while ly-bys will stink away in their sockets(2) a1508 Want of Wyse Men 62.
But ryme or ressone all is bot heble hable; Sic sturtfull stering in to Godis neis it stinkis 1513 Doug. iv Prol. 187.
Of brokkaris and syk bawdry … Of quham the fylth stynkis in Godis neys 1559 Knox VI 85.
The sense and feeiling of sinne so stinking in our owne nosetharles 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3549.
Thow art a tratour wylie tod That stinkis in the neis of God 1622 D. Lindesey Heavenly Chariot 17.
That continuall running issue of iniquitie … maketh him … stinking, in the nosthrils of God, of angels, and of men(3) 1535 Stewart 57226.
The loving in ane mannis mouth, Maid of him self, stinkis lyke ony fen Into the eiris of all vther men