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.
†OWERSOUM, n. Also oversoum, -sume. The number of animals in excess of what is proportioned to a Soum, q.v.Arg. 1721 F. F. Mackay Carskey Jnl. 63:
The said Archd McMurchy is to keep on his own cost & to rear ane calf betwixt every tuo Tydy Kows, & that for the use of my said Sone Arch: has the produce of said stock with oversume the half merk Land.Bte. 1820 J. Blain Hist. Bute (1880) 270:
At the landlord's expense an extraordinary market was advertised in the newspapers, that dealers might come and purchase the oversoum cattle.
