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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RUNK, n.¹, adj. Also rownk (Cai.). Dim. runky. [rʌŋk; Cai. rʌuŋk]

I. n. 1. A twisted, useless branch of a tree (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); the stalk of a cabbage, esp. when hard and withered (Mry.¹1925; Cai. 1939, rownk).

2. An emaciated, worn-out person, animal or object, esp. an emaciated old woman (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 188, 1866 Edm. Gl.; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); ‡Cai. 1968); in 1870 quot. appar. a young steer. Cf. Runt, n.¹, 6.Ayr. 1870 J. McKillop Poems 109:
Mair freedom has the hawkie's runky.Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd x.:
Yon muckle eeseless runk o' a blue coo.ne.Sc. 1953 Mearns Leader (27 Nov.):
An aul' runk o' a Car breenge't across the brig.

3. A term of contempt applied esp. to a bad-tempered ill-conditioned woman (Abd.⁴ 1930; Mry., Abd. 1968).

II. adj. Given as “wrinkled” by Jam., as if from Runk, n.⁴, but poss. simply an attrib. use of n., 2.Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 25:
The thing that angered me warst awa, was to be sae sair gnidg'd by a chanler-chafted, auld runk carlen.