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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CALM, CAUM, Cawm, Cam, Calme, Camb, Caulm, Kaam, Kam, n. [kɑ(:)m, kǫ(:)m]

1. A matrix or mould; esp. a bullet-mould (Sc. 1808 Jam., calmes, caums; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1914 Angus Gl., kaam; Cai.¹ c.1920, cawms, calms; Abd.² 1938, cams; Clydes. 1880 Jam.⁵, kaam); “wooden moulds for horn spoons” (Kcb. 1938 (per Kcb.⁹), caums). Mostly used in pl. so that the pl. has come to be regarded as a sing. Now obs. in Eng. (N.E.D.).Sc. 1701–1731 R. Wodrow Analecta (Maitland Club 1843) III. 18:
I have as much of him as I could expect to have of one of his years; he fills all my calms.ne.Sc.(D) 1921 J. Wight in Swatches o' Hamespun 16:
A leed bullet cassen by brookie poorin' molten leed inen a cams.Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherd MS. 53:
For there he says, fouk's casten o'er again An' come out o' the caumse right Gentlemen.Abd.(D) 1877 W. Alexander North. Rural Life in 18th Cent. xx.:
The wooden “caums,” wherein the horn — cut up and partly dressed — after being reduced to a state of greater pliability by heating, was moulded into the form of a “cutty.” [Also spelt cambs, chap. xxii.]

2. “A small iron pan used for holding the melted grease from which rushlights were made” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., kam); “an iron ladle in which lead, tallow, etc., are melted” (Uls. 1924 (2nd ed.) W. Lutton Montiaghisms 13, caulm, cawm).