A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1549-1578, 1647-1684
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Prik(k)in(g, vbl. n. Also: -yng, prickin(g. [ME and e.m.E. prik(k)-, pricking, pryckyng, etc., early ME and OE pricung, f. Prik v. Cf. also Preking.]
1. Fast riding, ‘spurring’; also, raiding, skirmishing, on horseback. (Prik v. 7.) = Preking vbl. n. 1. 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 114/4.
The Romans hed nocht monye hors to ryde in forrais and in prikkyng contrar ther enemes a1568 Bannatyne MS 157 b/8.
With prickin and with pransing that knaif wald be knawin 1570 Cal. Sc. P. III 192.
[Lord Claud Hamilton promised … to have made us sport by] priking [but before their coming they] alterit purpos 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 148.
Some pricking was vpon the croftis afore the castell, whare thare was tane tuo men of the castelis partie a1578 Pitsc. I 405/14.
Thay … had the Scottis men in plunging be thair pricking and skirmisching
2. A skirmish. = Preking vbl. n. 2. 1570 Leslie 281.
At the priking besyd Kingcorne … he was evill hurt be the shot of ane caliver
3. Pricking a person with a pin, as in Prik v. 3 or as a torment. 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 25.
To cite Johne Ramsey, ane ordinar priker of witches, … to ansuer for the priking of Margret Taitt, who immediatly therafter dyed 1662 Ib. 251.
Jon Dick, pricker, … without any warrand from the councill, … assumed to himself the power of pricking 1662 Rec. Old Tolbooth in Bk. Old Edinb. C. V 97 (see Prik v. 3 (3)). 1678 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. VI 13.
The saids persones … did … torture the said compleaner by pricking of pines in severall parts of her body 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 546.
It was reported that by a hair-shirt and pricking (as the witches are used) he was 5 nights keeped from sleip
4. Designating (an officer) by pricking his name in a list (Prik v. 4 c). 1647 Lag Chart. 57.
His majesty having through the distractions of the times omitted the pricking of sheriffs who are at his majesty's nomination
5. Attrib. ? in sense 4 b of Prik v. (cf. prec. sense). 1669 Edinb. B. Rec. X 70.
Ane play or game within this citie called the pricking book loterie of plate rings [etc.]
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"Prikin vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/prikking>
