Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡GRAMSE, n., v. Also grems. [Ork. grɑms, Sh. græms]
I. n. A grab, a snatch, “a greedy, sudden grasp at something” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), grems; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork. 1955).
II. v. To grab, to make a sudden greedy snatch (Ib.).
[Norw. gramse, to snatch, grab. Sw. dial. grams, a handful.]