A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1599, 1688
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(Stummering,) Stammering, vbl. n. [Stum(m)er v.; also, ME and e.m.E. stameryng (1357), stammering (1584), f. stammer v. to falter in speech.] Hesitation, doubt; an instance of this. b. Stammering, the speech impediment. — 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 147.
For the best servants of God are exercised with terrible doubtings in their saulls, with wonderfull stammerings … Thir doubtings and stammerings [etc.] 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 231.
This faith of ours is imperfect … subject to stammering, to manifold errors, wrestlings and doubtings a1599 Rollock Wks. I 325.
Becaus of the want of licht thair is sic stammering in our walking in this life —b. 1688 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXVII 154.
Of cureing of glydness and stammering in speach
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"Stummering vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/stummering>
