Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1888-1908
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RISK, v.2, n.1
I. v. 1. To cut with a sickle or tear up grass of the coarse kind found growing beside a wall, on the boundary of a field or between rocks (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1968). Vbl.n. riskins, the grass so cut (Ib.).Sh. 1888 B. R. Anderson Broken Lights 80:
When Betty Bunt 'at bedd in Virse Wis riskin reeds an' gorsty-girse.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (18 Aug.):
Tak' dy huik an' geng doon i' ane o' da stanks an' risk aff a grain fir dis night.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
To risk a gordste . . . to risk de strodeks.
2. To stab, rip, esp. with a hooked or barbed instrument (Sh. 1968).Sh. 1900 Shetland News (16 June):
Dy [huggie-]staff! Risk da staff intil him frae below.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I risked me to da ben.
II. n. A tug or jerk to pull up a handful of coarse grass (Sh. 1968).Sh. 1899 Shetland News (24 June):
He gae twa or three risks ta set in da huik.
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"Risk v.2, n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/risk_v2_n1>
