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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡SWAAM, n.2 Also swam. A swoon, faint, giddiness (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), swam, Sh. 1971).Sh. 1919 T. Manson Peat Comm. 73:
A basin o cowld wattir slushed i dir face is a graand thing fur takin folk oot o a swaam.

[Orig. doubtful. Phs. an altered form of swim, id., formally influenced by Dwam, but cf. the root syllable of Norw. dial. svamla, to flounder or sway about. Sw. dial. svambla, to move unsteadily.]

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