ˈgreking Obs. exc. Sc.
Forms: α. 3 griking(e, 4 ? graykyng, 5 gryking, 6 greiking, greking, 9 greyking. β. 3 griging 4 grygynge.
[Corresponds to MDu. grakinge, griekinge of the same meaning; app. a derivative, with -k-suffix, from the root of ON. gr{yacu}ja to dawn (viewed by Noreen as cogn. w. grá-r grey a., though belonging to a different ablaut series). Cf., however, the synonymous Du. krieken (older kriecke) and Eng. creek n.2, screak, screigh.]
Break (of day), dawn.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter cvii. 2 In þe grikinge rise sal I. 13.. K. Alis. 5413 Thise duden the oost mychel noye, In the gravkyng [so clearly in MS.] of the daye. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 2510 The grygynge of the daye. c 1425 Thomas of Erceld. i. 2 In þe grykyng of þe day, Me a lone as I went. 1513 Douglas æneis iv. xi. 4 Quhen the quene The first greking of the day has sene. Ibid. vii. Prol. 115 Approching neir the greiking of the day. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poet. IV. Gloss., Greke, greking, peep, peeping, break of day. 1875 J. Veitch Tweed 139 Ere greyking of the misty morn. |