Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

EETIM, Eatem, n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. item, used in all Eng. senses, and also to mean a task (Sh.¹⁰, Abd.⁹, Ags.¹⁹, Fif.¹⁰ 1945). Cf. Jot, n. For special Sh. usage in phr. haelty ill eetim, see Helt. [′itɪm]Sc. 1831 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1856) III. 274:
A slip o' paper endorsed wi' the vawrious eatems.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 69:
For the hoose, a hunner eetims Needed Meerie's special care.Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 80:
Da forenün 'ill be spent afore I get a eetim dune, an' der plenty ta dü.

Hence used fig. for a small, puny creature, an “object” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D., eetim, item).