Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FAIMISH, v. Also femish, †faimes. See S, letter, 1. (1). Sc. forms of Eng. famish. For vowel sound cf. note to Faimily.Sc. 1721 A. Macdonald Clan Donald (1904) III. 664:
Many souls by all appearance faimes'd for want of subsistence.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick iii.:
I was faimishin for my denner.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 36:
I dinna believe bit ye've been claiken here, ye limmer, on-thocht o' maskin a cup o' tay, an' Jimmie near femisht.
