Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: <1700, 1700, 1774-1822, 1898
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IMMER, Ember, n. Also imber, emmer, ammer. The great northern diver, Colymbus immer, gen. used attrib. with goose (I.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ork., Abd., e.Lth. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds; Dmf. 1910 H. Gladstone Birds Dmf.; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1958). [I.Sc. ′ɪm(b)ər; Sh. + ′æmər(gøs)]Ork. 1693 J. Wallace Orkney (1883) 19:
Here is also the Ember-Goose, of which it is said that they have their nests, and hatch their Eggs under water.Sh. 1774 G. Low Tour (1879) 124:
Shot a young Immer Goose here, which weighed 9½ lb.Sh. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VII. 394:
The embergoose, as it is here called, is a bird larger than the tame goose; has a long bill and doleful cry; it seldom leaves the sea — its legs are as short, that it can hardly walk.Sh. 1822 Scott Pirate xxi.:
The Imber-goose, unskill'd to fly. Must be content to glide along.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 13:
Whaar da piltiks bul an da tirriks dip, An da ember sails lek a laden ship.
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"Immer n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Mar 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/immer>
