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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.

GOOM, n. [gu:m]

1. The gum (Sh. 1954). Also in comb. goom bile, a gumboil. Cf. Geem and Gum, n.1Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 75:
An sae he sat, his pipe o twist Atween his gooms wis steekit.
Sh. 1928 Manson's Sh. Almanac 188:
I'm niver hed ony sair ipo' mi farder as a goom bile or a blister.

2. The fleshy tip of the finger.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (14 May):
I cleev'd da face o' me toom . . . Yis, A'm laid him open, an' lows'd da nail frae da goom.

[O.N. gómr, the roof or floor of the mouth; the finger-tip.]

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