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.
Quotation dates: 1831, 1884-1922
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EETIM, Eatem, n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. item, used in all Eng. senses, and also to mean a task (Sh.10, Abd.9, Ags.19, Fif.10 1945). Cf. Jot, n. For special Sh. usage in phr. haelty ill eetim, see Helt. [′itɪm]Sc. 1831 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1856) III. 274:
A slip o' paper endorsed wi' the vawrious eatems.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 69:
For the hoose, a hunner eetims Needed Meerie's special care.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 80:
Da forenün 'ill be spent afore I get a eetim dune, an' der plenty ta dü.
Hence used fig. for a small, puny creature, an “object” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., eetim, item).
