Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BÔNSVAM, BONNSVAMM, n.
1. “Sickness accompanying pregnancy” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Bonnsvamm, sickness; labour-pains which, according to old superstition, the wife by certain means can transfer to the husband, and thereby evade these pains herself.
2. “Lameness of the loins of women in child-bed” (Ib.).
[Bonn (obs. Sh.), a child + O.N. vamm, partly defect, partly damage done to one by others (Jak.). Cf. Eng. wen, a tumour, O.E. wenn.]
