A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Reume, Rheum(e, n. Also: r(h)ewme; Rime (n.3). [ME and e.m.E. rewme (Piers Plowman), OF reume (1227 in Larousse), L. rheuma, f. the Gk.]
1. Watery matter secreted by the mucous glands; a morbid defluxion of any kind.c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4919.
Quhen euyl rewme descendis frome the heid In to the membris, generith mekle peane 1604 James VI Minor Prose 91/31.
That this filthie smoake … is able and fit to purge both the head and stomacke of rhewmes and distillations … by the spitting … fleame 1607 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 547.
Thei [sc. the waters] purget me greittlie of my rheums and defluxions
b. fig. Harmful or noxious moisture.1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 39.
Rewmes pungitiue Ib. 352.
With mony a stang, and spoutis vennemous Corrupting air be rewme contagious
2. A cold in the head or lungs; catarrh.1533 Boece 313b.
Be the maladyis of ane rewme and cholkis fallin in his hals he was invadit 1568 Buch. Indict. 39.
The house … wes evill ayrit and wald be the occasioun of rewmes and cattaris Id. Detect. (1727) 17.
It stude in ane cauld and moyst place, dangerous for bringing the chylde to ane reume 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 166/1005.
As pleurisie, the hoast and rheume Do seeldome make repaire
b. A rheumatic pain.Cf. later Sc. dial. usage, esp. in pl., = rheumatic pains.c1597 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 39.
Our queene is trubled with a rhewme in her arme
