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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEMSE, adj. Also in ppl. forms lempsit, lems(k)et (Jak.). Stiff or halting in one's movements, slow, sluggish, sloppy (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), lems(k)(et), ‡Sh. 1960, lemsket); weak and debilitated-looking (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., lempsit). Also adv.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 206:
I lay foo lemse apo da stane, Fir I wis feelin weary.

[Ad. Norw. dial. lamsen, heavy and slouching in one's movements, Sw. dial. lamsen, weak, feeble; Norw. dial. lemster, stiff, feeble in the limbs, all prob. cogn. with Eng. lame.]

17365

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