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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CRAMP, n.1 Used Collectively: “vitrified glass and stones found in ancient tumuli” (Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.); extended in second quot. to mean a cinder.Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 137:
A number of the smaller heaps within the walls [of tumuli] are formed of what the country people call cramp. . . . The cramp resembles the refuse from a glass blower's furnace. It is of a reddish colour, and contains portions of a coarse glass, stones, and sometimes fragments of earthen vessels.
Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Sketch Bk. 119:
His feet wur unco' like the Trow's, Wi' jows o' seut i'sted o' clows; His rivlins baith like horns raise, Twa creukid cramps apo' his taes.

[Prob. from Norw. krampa, to press, squeeze (Torp), the idea being of something pressed together; cf. Krampies.]

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