Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1823, 1898-1902
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TORMENT, n. Also tirment (Abd. 1914 A. McS. The Bishop 12). Sc. form and usages. [Among older speakers the n. is freq. accented as the v., on the second syllable: tər′mɛnt]
1. In derivs.: ¶(1) tormentatious, adj., troublesome; (2) tormentors, an instrument, prob. like a pair of tongs, used for toasting oatcakes.(1) Kcb. 1902 Crockett Dark o' the Moon vii.:
Gin he was as useless an' tormentatious a hound in Paradise itsel' as his kind are unto this day.(2) Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. ii.:
Toasting an oaten bannock on a pair of tormentors. Seeing it somewhat scowthert and blackent on the one cheek, he took it off the tormentors and scraped it with them.
2. A nagging physical pain such as a headache (Sh. 1972).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (29 Jan.):
I'm hed a torment i' me hed, Sometimes I wiss 'at I wis ded.
