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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAMEWITH, adv., adj. Also haemwith, hamewuth, -wath.

I. adv. Homewards (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Mry.¹ 1925; ‡Abd., Ags. 1956).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 39:
He taks the gate, an' travels as he dow, Hamewith thro' many a wilsome height and how.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.:
We thocht it time to be steppin' hamewuth afore we tint the daylicht a' thegither.Ags. 1874 C. Sievwright Love Lilts 6:
She couldna gae hamewith her lane.Abd. 1900 C. Murray Hamewith 1:
Fain he'd be turnin' in his prime Hamewith — the road that's never dreary.Ags. 1914 I. Bell Country Clash 22:
It wad be better settin' some o' them if they wad look hamewath.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 13:
Sal, it [wind]'s a gey howder, an' aw'll better be tryin' hamewuth.

Used fig. in phr. to the hamewith, inclined towards one's own interests. Cf. II. 2.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
He's ay to the hamewith, he still takes care of his own.

II. adj. 1. Directed towards home, homeward (Bnff., Ags. 1956).Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore 141:
An' now the squire his hamewith course intends.Bnff. 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel Fae Hame 25:
The yett by the aul' peat stack Will be open wide tae my hamewith feet.Bch. 1949 W. R. Melvin Poems 42:
Dan's twa-mile hamewith tramp took 'oors; He stoiter't on 'mang blin'-drift shooers.

2. Self-interested (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 74).