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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BOOSAM, Busom, adj. “Buxom; lively, vigorous” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., busom). [′busəm]Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 7:
Sheu meed a boosam, frugal, wally wife tae the laird.
Ork.(D) 1915 J. T. S. Leask in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. VIII. i. 44:
Weel, onywey, da folk at waas i Cletyan dan, killed a golt [male pig], an' whin he waas apened dey gaed da fa [intestines] tae a boosam bit o lass.

[O.Sc. bowsum, bousum, busume, obedient, amiable, pleasant (D.O.S.T.); E.Mid.Eng. buhsum (whence also Eng. buxom), from the root būg- of O.E. būgan, to bend + suffix -sum.]

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