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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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TAISCH, n. Also taish(e); and erron. form task. Any vision seen in second sight, esp. the apparition or ghost of a living person about to die;  the voice of a person about to die (Sc. 1825 Jam.); second sight. Derivs. taishat(a)r, one who has second-sight, taishataragh, the faculty of second-sight. Gael. [tɑ:ʃ]Sc. 1785 Boswell Tour (7 Sept.):
Some women said to him, they had heard two taischs, that is, two voics of persons about to die; and what was remarkable, one of them was an English taisch, which they never heard before.Rs. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ III. 380:
The ghosts of the dying, called tasks, are said to be heard . . . the early or late completion of the prediction is made to depend on the period of the night at which the task is heard.Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley xvii.:
Is not his son Malcolm taishatr?Sc. 1823 Scots Mag. (July) 38:
The recent demise of his venerable chieftain confirmed his conviction of its being a Taish, (or shadowy anticipated funeral), and a very formidable one too.Sc. 1827 Scott Two Drovers i.:
You will bring more trouble on yourself with this Taishataragh.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxvi.:
He was himself Taishatar, or a Seer.Per. 1838 W. Scrope Deer-stalking 153:
Did you see your taishe, Peter?Sc. 1845 J. Grant Romance of War xxxviii.:
I saw the shot before it came, because there was a wreath before my een, and a' the power o' the taisch was in me.Fif. 1985 Christopher Rush A Twelvemonth and a Day 208:
'Those born tonight,' she croaked,'will have the taish.'
'What's that?' we gaped.
'The taish is the second sight - you see something happening long before it happens.'