Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
OSMAL, adj. Also osmel, ozmilt (Edm.); usmal, uismal (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Dark, dusky, greyish in colour (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1964); fig. having a gloomy, grim appearance, sinister, evil-looking (Jak.; Sh. 1964); “of a large-sized woman — used vaguely” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 35:
A auld osmal lüikin' auld maid, wi' a mooth laek a horse happrick.Ork. 1904 Dennison Orcadian Sk. 22:
Her face usmal an' troubled like.
