Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1832, 1900-1932
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‡LEAM, v.2 Also leem. tr. To take a ripe nut from its husk (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 151); intr. Of a nut: to drop out of its husk when ripe. Also in n.Eng. dial.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 150, 257:
The boys wha used to roam that wud, And gather leaming nits … Awa on the hazley brae down by, Whar the yellow nits are leaming.Kcb. c.1900 J. Matthewson MS. Poems 32:
An' aye frae aff his auld grey croon Fell lumps like nuts a-leemin'.
Hence leam(m)er, leemer, a nut that is ripe and separates easily from its husk (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 62; Rxb. 1825 Jam.). Also in Eng. dial.s.Sc. 1832 Blackwood's Mag. (July) 126:
Hung "with mealy clusters of ripe nuts," which you can crack when you have gathered them, brown leamers every one.Gall. 1932 A. McCormick Galloway 54:
I wad like to ha'e said something nesty to the Stranraer miller, but I'm gled I didna, for his meal's as sweet as a leammer.
