Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1819, 1908-1921
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CLEM, Klem, Clam, Clim, v. The form clam however may correspond to the Eng. alternative form, now only dial., clam, with the same meanings. Pa.t. clam after strong verbs. [klɛm, klɑm, klɪm]
1. tr. "To stop a hole by means of lime, clay, or by using any viscid substance; also to clem up" (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Cai.7 1937, clim up, obsol.). Also found in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Mearns 1819 J. Burness Plays, Poems, etc. 283:
They clam an' patch up a' the bores, For to keep out the drift.
2. intr. Of a soft, sticky mass: to adhere, stick.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De snaw klems (is klemd) to de feet, upo de face; . . . my tongue is klemin to my mooth wi' trist.Lth. 1921 A. Dodds Antrin Sangs 54:
The awfu' words clam tae his mooth, As gif the palsy tied him.
