Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

EASTICK, n., adj. Also eestik, istek, istick. [′istɪk, ′ɪstək, ′jɛstɪk]

1. n. “A slight temporary frost” (Sh. 1825 Jam.², 1866 Edm. Gl., istick); soft, cold, drizzling rain, cold showery weather (Ib., eastick). In pl. “sleety clouds or sleety showers” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Known to Sh.¹⁰ 1948.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He is comin' ut istek.

2. adj. Cold, showery (Sh.¹⁰ 1949, obsol.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
“Der'r a istek track upon him,” the weather looks as if it would be cold and changeable with sleety showers.

Combs.: (1) eestik heads, (see quot.); (2) istek-wadder, “cold, variable, showery weather” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).(1) Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 116:
Large masses of white clouds, called in winter snaaie heads and in summer eestik heads, were looked upon with ill favour, as they were sure either “ta rain aff or blaw aff.”