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.
Quotation dates: 1784-1857
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THOUMART, n. Also thoomart, thumourt, thum(m)ert, thum(m)art. [′θumərt, ′θʌmərt]
1. The pole-cat, Mustela putorius (Sc. 1825 Jam., thumart; Ayr. 1923 Wilson D. Burns 190), often confused with the weasel.Ayr. 1784 Burns Twa Herds vi.:
The thummart, wil'-cat, brock and tod.Sc. 1836 J. Baillie Works (1853) 622:
Tell thy errand, then, and no lurk that gate, in a nook, like a thoumart in a dowcot.Ayr. 1850 J. D. Brown Ballads 98:
His cleedin' was skins o' the thoumart and tod.
2. Used contemptuously of a small, odd-looking or furtive person.Ayr. 1822 Galt Sir A. Wylie x.:
There never was surely a droller like thummert o' a creature seen entering a biggit land.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 141:
Muckle you care about my feelings, ye sleeky thoomart!
