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.
Grim, Grym, a. and adv. Also: grym(m)e. [ME. grym, grim, OE. grim, ON. grimm-r.]
1. Of persons, animals, looks, or appearance: Grim, fierce, stern.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxviii. 39.
Thar-at richt gryme wes the king c1450-2 Howlat 313.
Thar was the egill so grym, … most awfull in erd Ib. 617.
The rouch wodwys wyld, … grym in effeir c1475 Wall. v. 1103.
Quhat bellamy may thow be, That cummys so grym? a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 86.
With that come girdand in greif ane woundir grym sire 1513 Doug. iii. ix. 108.
The grym Ciclopes Ib. v. i. 67.
Acestes … Ful grym of luke 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2703.
In Plutois palice … to be president Amang that graceles garisoun sa grim a1568 Scott ii. 131.
Now is the growme, that wes so grym, Rycht glaid to leif in lie a1570-86 Maitl. F. xxxv. 12.
Ane greit grim man 1590 Crim. Trials I. 211.
[The devil] desyrit him nocht to feir, thocht he wes grymmeabsol. c1450-2 Howlat 369.
Of pure gold was the ground quhar the grym hovit a1500 Colk. Sow i. 174.
Mony long tuthit bore … , The gray, the gorot and the grym 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4465.
The Feind ressaue that graceles grym [B. gane](2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 98.
With gor his tua grym ene ar gladderit all about 1513 Doug. xii. xii. 68.
Abundans of blude … That can do wesch … Thar grym nekkis Ib. vi. ix. 160.
Scho [sc. a Fury] … Fleyis thame with flambe, grym luke and vgly cryis
2. Causing or suffering severe pain.1535 Stewart 9602.
Quhilk sall nocht schrink … Or for na grym wound other grym or grow c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5576.
Euerilk thyng that did hym deire The tyme of his grym passioun 1587-99 Hume 95/49.
For I was grim and brocht wondrous lowe with paine in my flesh
3. adv. Grimly.c1450-2 Howlat 53.
He grat grysly grym and gaif a gret ȝowle a1500 Colk. Sow i. 157.
This pig quhen thay hard him Thay come golfand full grim
