Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

CLAM, Claum, v. “To grope or grasp ineffectually” (Ayr. 1825 Jam.²; also Bnff.⁴ 1928); “to clam or glam, is to snatch or grasp eagerly: to claum or glaum, is to grope as in the dark” (Ayr. 1879 Jam.⁵). Known to Kcb.¹⁰ 1940 in sense of “grasp, snatch.” Also found in s.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.). See also Glaum.Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-boat xii.:
I had not, however, lain long in that posture, when I felt, as I thought, a hand claming over the bed-clothes.