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.
OUTMOST, adj., n. Also -maist, oot-. [′utməst]
I. adj. 1. Outermost, most remote. Rather rare in mod. Eng.Sc. 1724 Ramsay Ever Green I. 219:
For aften far abufe the Mune, We watching Beings do convene, Frae round Eards outmost Climes.Rxb. 1762 Session Papers, Waugh v. Carre (28 Oct.) 42:
The ends of the riggs of the outmost acre in Castlewoodfield.Sc. 1810 Scott Lady of Lake v. xii.:
Far past Clan-Alpine's outmost guard.Dmf. 1874 R. Wanlock Moorland Rhymes 24:
And as I barr't the ootmaist door, And hapt me fiel and warm.Lnk. 1919 G. Rae 'Tween Clyde and Tweed 8:
I herd the ootmaist hirsel in Dunsyre.Bnff. 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel fae Hame 1:
The hert rugs hame fae ootmaist eyens o' earth.
2. Utmost, most extreme, maximum.Gsw. 1716 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (B.R.S.) 576:
Valued to eightein hundered marks Scots money as the outmost avail thereof.Sc. 1756 M. Calderwood Journey (M.C.) 190:
It is surprizing how weakly men of the best sense [and] the outmost freedom of thinking in everything, and even in many things regarding the church, talk upon certain points of their religion.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 23:
A' in outmost mazerment an' care.e.Lth. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 149:
Ilk ane was pang'd to his outmaist desire.
II. n. One's utmost, farthest limit or extent.Sc. 1709 Earls Crm. (Fraser 1876) II. 170:
They have some friends on the beach that will do theire outmost to catch a proper opportunitie.Lnk. 1861 W. McHutchison Poems (1877) 96:
I did till my outmaist the best way I could.Abd. 1884 D. Grant Keckleton 125:
A richt guid intention to dae my ootmost to mak . . . a thrifty an' helpfu' gudewife.
