A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Cowm(e, Coum(e, n. Also: kowm, coumm-, cum(m-). [Of uncertain origin.] One of the wooden centres of an arch; an arch.1530 M. Works Acc. I. 27 b.
To Johnne Drummond wrycht … makand cowmis [and] walplatis for siling 1536 Ib. IV. 69.
For skaffalting. … sentreis & covmys making 1561–3 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 402.
Ane jc naillis to mak cumis and skaffating … making of cummis and propping Ib. 405; etc.
Laying the geistis of the. Counsall houss, making of cowmes 1578–9 Haddington Treas. Acc. MS.
Four cuttis of rauchteris to be cheikis to the cowmes to bring ouir the. ogeris of the chimpnay 1589 Lanark B. Rec. 94.
Delyverit to Robert Gothrell for making of the kowmis of the croce 1592 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 352.
Making of the cowmis to the brig … xx daillis to be the cowmis, the develling and the clows 1609 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I. 190 b.
Flooring naillis to mak cowmes for the pendis of the fynning furnace 1642 Elgin Rec. II. 241.
Compeired [two persons] … as commissionars from the Skiners, desyring ane coume aboue their dask 1699 Thanes of Cawdor 391.
They are to build ane cowme
