Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1833, 1900, 1968
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STURKEN, v., adj. Also storkn (Jak.); stoorken (s.Sc.). [′stʌrkən, ′sturkən]
I. v. 1. tr. To give added strength to, to restore to robustness in health (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf. 1929); intr. to become strong again, recover one's strength after an illness, “generally applied to females recovering after childbirth” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.), also in n.Eng. dial.Dmf. 1833 W. Park Vale of Esk 89:
A' his concern was a stork'nin draught For Marjorie to prepare.
2. To stiffen, coagulate, grow hard and solid, “as butter or tallow does after being melted” (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 209, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1971); of blood: to congeal, clot (Ork. 1946). Also in n.Eng. dial.Sh. 1900 Shetland News (13 Jan.):
Afore da yow wis taen up, her tallin wis cauld sturkn'd!Sh. 1968 New Shetlander No. 86. 16:
Da swaar a sturkened oil whaar shu aye stude.
II. adj. Of a cold, sour disposition, stiff and unfriendly in manner (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 186); sulky (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.).
[O.Sc. storkyn, to become stout and strong, 1420, to stiffen, c.1500, O.N., Norw. dial. storkna, to congeal, coagulate. The adj. corresponds to Norw. dial. storken, O.N. storkinn, congealed.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Sturken v., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sturken>
