Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1731, 1828, 1885-1895, 1955
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PALM, n.1 Also paam (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 16); paum, pawm. Sc. forms and usages:
1. As in Eng., the inner side of the hand. Deriv. palmy, n., a throw in the game of knifie (see Knife, n., 1.) in which the knife is dropped from the palm of the hand.Edb. 1955 Edb. Ev. News (4 Jan.):
Other throws were "palmy," "back-handy," and "fisty." Whichever part of the body was touched before plunging the knife into the ground gave its name to the throw.
2. The parts in inanimate objects corresponding to the human hands, specif. (1) the grippers or claws of a pair of tongs (Ork., Uls. 1965).Ayr. 1828 D. Wood Poems 34:
But here noo, Smith, are my auld tongs, Their legs are gude, but want the pa'ms.
(2) one of the hands of a clock (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Bte. c.1731 Rothesay T.C. Rec. (1935) III. 649:
To Edward Stewart for makeing the palm and naills to the Knock . . . £6 10 00.Ayr. 1885 A. Edgar Old Church Life 32:
The old knock has not disappeared. Its machinery may still be seen and examined on the landing above the vestry, as also its wooden palms and its copper dial plate.
(3) the broad flat blade of a baker's peel or shovel.Fif. 1895 G. Setoun Sunshine & Haar 184:
Placing a couple of loaves on the palm of the peel.
