Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HUM, v.3, n.2 Also høm, huim, hoom; hums(k), hømsk, homs(k), hungs(k), hunks (Jak.), the -s(k) forms being most freq. in the n. [hum(s)(k), høm(s)(k)]
I. v. To become dark, to grow dusk (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1957). Ppl.adj. hums(k)et, hømsket, hazy, overcast, dusk (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He is humin, the twilight is coming on.
Freq. in vbl.n. humin, -en, hüm(m)in, huumin, hüme(e)n, hømin, homeen (Sh.), hoomin (Ork. 1929 Marw.); humskin (Jak.), twilight, dusk (Sh. 1957). Also attrib. and fig.Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag.II. 589:
I kam apo Jeemie Tamsin markin up wir pellat Rüll i da hümin o da eenin.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 98:
For sheu hed seen Jock Wa's gang by . . . That e'enin' i' the hoomin' o'd.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 118:
An Hümintime, t'o freed o strife, Is bit da Inner-Grund.Sh. 1951 New Shetlander No. 27. 25:
Hit noo wis comin' i da hümen an daylight faadin' fast.
II. n. Twilight, dusk (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), høm(ska)); an overcast or cloudy sky, a haze (Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Dial. Shet. 37, hooms(ker), 1908 Jak. (1928)). Hence hum(s)i, -y, ho(o)msi, misty, hazy, cloudy (Jak.).
[Norw. hyma, O.N. húma, to grow dusk, húm, twilight, Norw. hyming, id., hymskjen, somewhat overcast, of sky.]
