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.
GRAMARIE, n. Also gram(m)erie, gramowrie, gramarye. Magic, witchcraft; a spell, a witch's power (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 151, gramowrie). Only in liter. use. Found in Eng. in 15th c. revived by Scott. Cf. Glamourie.Rxb. 1802 Scott Minstrelsy II. 346:
With witch's hazel in each steel cap, In scorn of Soulis's gramarye.Sc. 1805 Scott Last Minstrel vi. xvii.:
Dark was the vaulted room of gramarye, To which the wizard led the gallant knight.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 147:
Her gramowrie she cast; and, swith! Her weary knicht's ilk limb and lith Gat tenfauld poustie.Ags. 1861 R. Leighton Poems 42:
For she gat her life frae the Witch o' Fife, And eke her gramarie.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (5 Feb.):
Der a gramerie cas'n ower dat hoos o' Saetter as shüre as we're sittin' here.
