A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Slummer, -ir, n. Also: -yr, slumber, slwmer, slomer, slomber(e. Pl. also slumrys. [ME and e.m.E. slombir (Chaucer), sloumber (1550), slumber (1579); slomowre (a1400), slommer (1530). Cf. Fris. slommer, slûmer, late MHG, Dan., Sw. slummer; Slummer v.]
1. Sleep; a sort or quality of sleep; a period of sleep. Also const. possess. adj. Also pl. Also personified.c1475 Wall. vii 71.
In that slummir, cummand him thocht he saw Ane agit man c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xiv 1.
Devysing in my slummer, How that [etc.] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxxv 9.
For weirines on me ane slummer [M. slwmer] soft Come with ane dremyng and a fantesy 1513 Doug. vi viii 90.
Me … slumrys strang Oppressyt 1513 Doug. vii Prol. 111.
On slummyr I slaid … and slepit sound 1562-3 Winȝet II 13/6.
Wtheris … as it war in a licht slummir easelie to be walkinnit 1587-99 Hume 44/91.
He makes the physicke take effect, the slummers soft he geifispersonified 1570 Sat. P. x 8.
His sluggische suldarts … led me captiue vnto Maister Slumber
2. fig. A state of a. Unawareness, ignorance. b. Quiescence, repose.a. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1307 (Asl.).
Weile & wa heir riches and purete But ony tary baith slydis as a slombere [Arund. slomber, H. slumber] a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1484 (Asl.).
Man … Fra slomer of syn rathlie he wald wprysb. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 6300.
Dreid nocht to dee, for deith is bot ane slummer
