Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1804-1866, 1925-1951
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FEEM, n., v.1 Also feam, feim. ne.Sc. forms of Eng. fume. See P.L.D. §35, §37, §128. [fi:m]
I. n. A state of great and sudden heat or fever, a sweat (Ags. 1825 Jam., feim; ne.Sc. 1951); also fig. of agitation or rage (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 223; Abd.27 1951).Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 66:
Vow he was black as ony deil, An' in an unca feem.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 223:
Sic a feam o' heat's they keep the room in.Abd. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 29:
Cauld feems on Robbie noo began to jeel his spinal cord.Abd.29 1951:
His heid's sair an' he keeps comin' oot in great feems o' heat.
II. v. To be in a state of great heat or perspiration; also fig. of anger (ne.Sc. 1951).Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 16:
Some dogs dispatch'd To aid him, wha ran feemin'.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 223:
He cam in fae the flail jist feamin' agehn.Abd. 1925 A. Murison Rosehearty Rhymes 45:
The Chief was troubled wi' a hoast An' fairly feemin; His voice an' temper baith were lost.
