Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
KIMS, v., n., adj. Cf. Himps, Himst.
I. v. ‡To toss or jerk the head or body (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), e.g. as a sign of spirit or disdain (Ork. 1960). Ppl.adj. kimset, making such movements, restless, fidgetty, abrupt (Jak.). Adj. kimsey, proud, haughty, scornful, fussy.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 15, 183:
Sheu wis a kimsey body an' liked tae see a' t'ing cheust so. . . . Sheu wis leukan fine an' kimsey wae a new blue cott an' a yellow hat.
II. n. A sudden jerky movement, a quick turn of the head or body (Ib.).
III. adj. = kimset above; frolicsome, silly (Ib.).
[Norw. kimse, to toss the head, as in scorn, Dan. kims, inclined to toss the head, scornful.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Kims v., n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kims>
