On a Scotch Bard, Gone to the West Indies

clink v. t.

To cause to give out a slight, sharp, tinkling, sound, as by striking metallic or other sonorous bodies together. [OE. clinken; akin to G. klingen, D. klinken, SW. klinga, Dan. klinge; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Clank, Clench, Click, v. i.]

jink v. i.

To move quickly, esp. with a sudden turn; hence, to dodge; to escape by a quick turn; --obs. or dial., except as a hunting term in pig-sticking.

weel

A kind of trap or snare for fish, made of twigs. Carew. [Prov. E. weel, weal, a wicker basket to catch eels; prob. akin to willow, and so called as made of willow twigs.]

wiss adv.

Certainly; really; indeed. [Aphetic form of iwis, ywis; or fr. Icel. viss certain. See Ywis.]

grumble v. i.

To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner. [Cf. LG. grummeln, grumman, D. grommelen, grommen, and F. grommeler, of German origin; cf. W. grwm, murmur, grumble, surly. sq. root35. Cf. Grum, Grim.]

fyke n.

A long bag net distended by hoops, into which fish can pass easily, without being able to return; -- called also fyke net. [D. fuik a bow net.]

fumble v. i.

To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or find something. [Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw. fumla to fusuble, famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope, fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm of the hand. See Feel, and]

gleg a.

Quick of perception; alert; sharp. Jamieson. [Icel. glöggr.]

auld a.

Old; as, Auld Reekie (old smoky), i. e., Edinburgh. [See Old.]

twill v. i.

To weave, as cloth, so as to produce the appearance of diagonal lines or ribs on the surface. [Scotch tweel; probably from LG. twillen to make double, from twi- two; akin to AS. twi-, E. twi- in twilight. See Twice, and cf. Tweed, Tweel.]

flinders n.

Small pieces or splinters; fragments. [Scot. flenders, flendris; perh. akin to E. flutter; cf. D. flenters rags, broken pieces.]

berth v. t.

To give an anchorage to, or a place to lie at; to place in a berth; as, she was berthed stem to stern with the Adelaide.

afore prep.

Before (in all its senses).

scarce a.

Not plentiful or abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. [OE. scars, OF. escars, eschars, LL. scarpsus, for L. excerptus, p. p. of excerpere to pick out, and hence to contract, to shorten; ex (see Ex-) + carpere. See C]

hammock n.

A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends. [A word of Indian origin: cf. Sp. hamaca. Columbus, in the Narrative of his first voyage, says: "A great many Indians in canoes came to the ship to-day for the p]

bide v. i.

To dwell; to inhabit; to abide; to stay. [OE. biden, AS. bidan; akin to OHG. bitan, Goth. beidan, Icel. bi; perh. orig., to wait with trust, and akin to bid. See Bid, v. t., and cf. Abide.]

dainty n.

Value; estimation; the gratification or pleasure taken in anything. [OE. deinie, dainte, deintie, deyntee, OF. deintié delicacy, orig., dignity, honor, fr. L. dignitas, fr. dignus worthy. See Deign, and cf. Dignity.]

glee n.

Music; minstrelsy; entertainment.

deil n.

Devil; -- spelt also deel. Deil's buckie. See under Buckie.

gillie n.

A boy or young man; a manservant; a male attendant, in the Scottish Highlands. [Gael. gille, giolla, boy, lad.]

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.