Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†STAMFISH, adj. Also stamphish, stumfish.
1. Strong, robust, coarse (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); “harsh to the feeling” (Sc. 1835 Chambers's Edb. Jnl. (13 June) 157).
2. Of grain: strong-growing, rank (Rxb. 1825 Jam., stumfish).
3. Unruly, unmanageable (w.Lth. 1825 Jam.).
[A reduced altered form of standfast, stiff, unmoving, obstinate. Cf. Stamfer and Hamphis.]
