Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†EEM, Eame, Eme, Emm, Eyme, n.2 Uncle; orig. used to refer to a mother's brother only, later applied to a father's brother also, and hence to a gossip or familiar friend. Arch.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 251:
Many Aunts, many Emms, many Kinsfolk, few Friends.Sc. 1724–27 Ramsay T. T. Misc. (1733) 182:
And Rob my eem hecht me a stock, Twa lusty lips to lick a ladle.Sc. 1751 W. MacFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 537:
Never to quarrel William Melvill about the slaughter of Umquhill Sir James Kinninmond his Eyme.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xii.:
Didna his eme die and gang to his place wi' the name of the Bluidy Mackenyie?Kcb. 1896 S. R. Crockett Grey Man x.:
I have a letter to send my eame the Tutor in the morning.
