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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GAMSE, v., n. [gɑms]

I. v. “Of a dog — to make a snap at one in play, to bite playfully — without sticking in its teeth hard” (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork. 1953).

II. n. A playful snap (Sh., Ork. 1953).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He made a gamse at me, and then began to wag his tail.

[Of Scand. origin: cf. Dan. dial. gamse, to snatch, bite. There may be some semantic influence from Gams above.]

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