Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†GRAM, adj., n., v. Also grame, grem, graem, graam.
I. adj. 1. Very eager, keen on getting something, e.g. food (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., graam, 1908 Jak. (1928)); also salacious (Edm.).Sh. 1892 Manson's Sh. Almanac:
“Dat may a' be,” says Maansie; “bit I see you a' as graam . . . as I for your pairt whin we come ashore.”
2. Delighted, overjoyed.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He was gram ower it.
II. n. Anger, passion; grief. Liter. only. Also in Nhb. dial.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 42:
Laithe to lay ane laitless finger on her, I brankyt in myne gram.Sc.(E) 1935 W. Soutar Poems 53:
It was the body that ye brak In yon stark hour o' grame.
III. v. To be in a passion (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., graem), to be embittered or enraged (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), grem); to grumble, complain (Ib.).
[O.Sc. has gram, fierce, c.1475, gram(e), sorrow, distress; malice, from a.1500; O.E. gram, angry, fierce, grama, anger. For the I.Sc. forms cf. also the cogn. Norw. dial. gram, angry, anger, gramma (gremma) seg, to complain, bewail, O.N. gramr, angry, gremja, to anger, provoke.]
