A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Qualm, n. Also: qwalm(e, qualim, qwhalm(e, quhelm. [ME qualm(e, cwalm, OE cwealm. Appar. obsolete in Eng. after c1400.] a. Mortality, plague, pestilence. b. A calamity or disaster. —c1420 Wynt. ii 579.
Syne comune qwalm [C. qwhalme] off all thare fe, That scheype or nowyt or gayte suld be [C. de] Ib. vii 3427.
Swa suddane qwalmys [C. qwhalmys] God on thame send 1513 Doug. x i 31.
Quhen the fers burgh of Cartage To Romys boundis … Ane huge myscheif and gret qualm [Ruddim. qualim, Ruthv. quhelm] send sall
