Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLEM, BLEN, n. [blɛm, blɛn]
1. Blem. (1) “A blue mark, a blemish” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.); (2) “a faint bluish cloud of smoke” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
2. Blen. (1) “Breaking surf” (Ork. 1929 Marw.); (2) “a blue stripe or spot of cloud” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); (3) “the direction which smoke takes, a wisp of smoke” (Ib.); (4) “a spot, a blemish” (Ib.).
[Cf. O.N. blāmi, lividness, and O.N. blāna, to become blue (Zoëga). See also Blaem.]
