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: 1752, 1849-1944
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RHEUM, n. Also reum, rume. Sc. usage, esp. in pl.: rheumatic pains (Bnff., Ags., Per., ‡Kcb. 1968). Now rare or obs. in Eng.Sc. 1752 Hume Essays & Treat. (1777) II. 197:
Old men . . . endeavour, as long as possible, to conceal their blindness and deafness, their rheums and gouts.Ags. 1849 Brechin Advertiser (30 Jan.) 3:
He wudna rise withoot the rume pains at the verie lest.Fif. 1896 D. S. Meldrum Grey Mantle 291:
It was like the rheüms, I suppose, and got into the joints o' her natur.Ags. 1944 Scots Mag. (May) 89:
He's bye wi' the worries o' this world, except things like rheums.
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"Rheum n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rheum>
