Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1891-1956
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LUNK, v.2, n.1 Also lunnk. [lʌŋk]
I. v. To walk with a rising and falling gait, or with an uneven rolling motion, to bob up and down, heave (as a ship) (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 139, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1961).Sh. 1898 Shetland Times (13 Aug.):
Doo needna a lunkid aff o' da mair, whin I cam' in sight.Sh. 1923 T. Manson Lerwick 163:
The person who came “lunkin” along with one pail-ful generally spilled the half of it over his or her legs or on the street.Sh. 1956 New Shetlander No. 43 22:
The man lunnks north-ower to the house.
II. n. A heave, lurch, bobbing up-and-down motion or gait (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.). Hence lunkie, one who walks in this way (Sh. 1961).Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 96:
Wi mony a dunt ipo da gress, An mony a rackliss lunk.
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"Lunk v.2, n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/lunk_v2_n1>
