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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AMIS, AMOS, AMUS, n. and adj. I.Sc. forms of the word alms with special meanings (see quots.). (Also written: aamas, aamis, awmis, awmous.) [′ɑ:məs Sh.; ′ɑ:mɪs Ork.]

1. n. (1) Gift offered in vow or given in fulfilment of vow. (See quots.) (Sh. only.)Sh. 1822 Scott Pirate xxv.:
When their boats were in extreme peril, it was common amongst them to propose to vow an awmous, as they termed it, that is, an alms, to Saint Ringan.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 111 (see quot. under 2 (1)).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Amos, alms, is in form the L.Sc. aumous, awmous = almous (alms), but is used in Sh. freq. of alms which is promised at sea (in hope of getting better fishing or in time of distress), either to a person (the first person one meets if one again reaches land) or particularly to a church.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Amos, a dole promised to some indigent person on condition that some hoped for good comes to the person who promises. “To lay on a amos” — to promise an amos. “To win a amos” — if the hoped for good thing is got or gained, then it is said that the person to whom the promise was made has won the amos. “If du wins dat amos at I get dis diksjonar dun afore Yul, I s'be awn dee a new pair a rivlins.”Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 45:
Oh, if da puir could win da amus 'at mam could be safe an' soond . . . dan lat da rest tak on.

(2) Power to bring luck to another.Sh.(D) 1919 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. II. 105:
Noo, see you, my jewel, ye laekly hae a guid awmis. Lat me try juist dis wance, wi you lookin on, an I'll maybe get her in.

2. adj. (1) Deserving of charity; hence, likely to bring luck if given alms; in phr. aamas bairns, amos boddi.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 110:
It was considered a good omen to meet an imbecile or a person deformed from the birth. These were called “Gude's pör,” and were suitable aamas bairns. After meeting one of such, if the voyage had been at all prosperous, they were rewarded with an aamas or kjoab.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Amos boddi, a person who is deserving of charity; a person who is capable of winning an amos.

(2) Pitiable, poor, wretched.Sh.(D) 1928 T. Shewan in Sh. Almanac 187:
Dir lossin dir owld vigour, an' growin' up puir aamis beins. (Poor, thin, useless, weak creatures (A.).)Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Amis, a term of reproach. “You amis thing,” i.e. poor, worthless, disgraceful.

(3) Deserved. (As pred.) (Only Ork.)Ib.:
It was weel amis tae gae him a thrashing.