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.
FORTAM, n. A piece of line plaited with three strands and used in cod-fishing instead of a sprool (Ork. 1929 Marw.). [′fɔrtəm]
[Norw. dial. fortaum, the snood of a fishing-line.]
