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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CROM, n., adj., v.¹

1. n. A twist, entanglement.ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 180:
The oxen were yoked to the plough by a common rope called the “soum.” . . . Hence . . . “a crom i' the soum” [was used] . . . to indicate that a hitch had taken place in the carrying out of an undertaking.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 32:
Fin thir wiz a crom in the sowm, the gaadman geed, and raid it.

2. adj. Crooked; “very frequently prefixed to other adjectives; as crom-taet, crom-fingert, crom-leggit” (Ib.).Ib.:
The man hiz a crom finger.

3. v. To double, bend. Gen. used with up or in (Mry.¹ 1925; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 32). Hence crommt, adj., crooked (Ib.).Ib.:
The tinker crommt up's leg, and gehrt (gart) the fouk believe 'at he wiz cripple: . . . Dinna crom in yir taes that wye.