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.
GAMSTER, n. Sc. form and usages of Eng. gamester. [′gɑmstər]
†1. A player in a game. Obs. in Eng. since 17th cent. Comb.: even gamsters, quits.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. Gl. 261:
Tee, a little Earth, on which Gamsters at the Gowf set their Balls before they strike them off.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 15:
Perhaps alang the ice, wi' grane, The gamester rows his curlin'-stane.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 161:
The gallant gamesters briskly mov'd To meet the daring fae.Dmb. 1846 W. Cross Disruption xv.:
We're even gamsters, Robin. Ye didna slight me a bit mair than I slightit you.
2. A giddy, irresponsible or frivolous woman (m.Dmf.3 c.1920; Dmf. 1954). A weakened sense of obs. Eng. gamester, a lewd person.
[O.Sc. has the form gemster only, from 1596.]
