A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Gam, n.2 Pl. gammis, gamis, gambis. [Of obscure origin; the sing., as well as the plural, occurs in later dial.] pl. (Large) teeth; jaws.c1500 Rowll Cursing 18 (B).
He that saulis saifis and dammis Beteiche the devill thair guttis and gammis a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 363.
Thou wald be fayn to gnaw, lad, with thy gammis … banis behynd doggis bakkis c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 34.
His girnand gamis [M. gammis] hir noucht agast 1513 Doug. x. xii. 98.
[The lion] Hys gredy gammys bedyis with the red blude 1535 Stewart 12958.
Crabit as Saturne … With glowrand ene and girnand gammis greit 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2285 (B).
The diuill dryte on thy gammis [Ch. gambis] 15.. Christis Kirk 168 (B).
Quhair thair gobbis wes vngeird Thay gat vpoun the gammis 1591-2 Rob Stene 14.
Sum haschit the harnis of tender lamis, Quhill blud come bockand frome thair gammis
