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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rik, Ryk(e, adj. and n.² Also: rike, ryik; raik. [North. ME rike (Cursor M.); f. as Rich(e adj. Cf. ON ríkr.]

A. adj. a. Mighty; great. = Rich(e adj. 1. c1475 Wall. i 120.
Than Eduuarde self was callit a roy ful ryk 1535 Stewart 42680.
With mony rynk that ryall wes and ryke In plane battell a1568 Bann. MS 221b/30.
For dreid my lady be With on moir rik arreistit be the renȝe

b. Wealthy; well-off. Also const. of (property). Also fig. = Rich(e adj. 2.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. 1 596.
Thar was neuir nane hyr lyk …, pure no ryk c1420 Wynt. viii 5868.
For the inwart off the kynryk The land had rest, the folk ware ryke 1535 Stewart 58279.
Lyncluden … Quhilk foundit wes of nunnis than richt rykefig. a1400 Leg. S. xl 726.
For he studit here to be Pouer, in hewine rike is he(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 15.
Thus the royale can remove, with his Round Tabill, Of all riches maist rike

c. Valuable. = Rich(e adj. 3. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2343.
Brynging so mony giftis ryke

d. Costly; splendid. = Rich(e adj. 4. c1450-2 Howlat 669 (A).
A palace of pryce … Was erekit rially ryke of array c1475 Wall. ix 18.
In to the Ram, quhilk had his rowmys ryk

e. Of colour: Strong, deep. a1500 K. Hart 90.
Richt as the rose … In ruby colour reid most ryik of hew

B. absol. or noun. Those who are rich or powerful. = Rich(e n. 9 a.(a) a1400 Leg. S. l 17.
That thai suld cume, bath gret & small, … Bath poure & rik ?1438 Alex. ii 1856.
He sall be lowit with pure and rike c1475 Wall. v 578.
Na Sotheron couth deme thaim mys, pur no rik [: quietlik] 1535 Stewart 42656.
So is the natuir baith of puir and ryik(b) c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 134/5 (R).
Befoir all raik [v.r. rink] of this regioun, Vnder our roy … , Welcom, my awin Lord Thesaurair!