Show Search Results Show Browse

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GRUM, adj., n.2 Also grumm, gromm. [grum, grɔm]

I. adj. 1. Grim, fierce, surly (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), grumm, gromm); of weather: storm-threatening (Jak.). Also in Eng. dial. Hence grummli, “of a grim, fierce or frowning appearance” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).

2. Ugly, repulsive (Ib., Sh. 1955). Hence grumly, idem.Sc. a.1852 Great Silkie in Child Ballads No. 113 ii.:
Then ane arose at her bed-fit, An a grumly guest I'm sure was he: “Here am I, thy bairnis father, Although that I be not comelie.”

II. n. A dark patch (in the sky).Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
He's no gjaain ta be lang gud, de'r a grum anunder da sun.

[Cf. Norw. grum, cruel, Dan. dial. grommer, ugly, harsh; gloomy (of the sky), Sw. dial gruma, to become heavily overcast. Cf. also obs. Eng. grum, gloomy, morose, surly.]

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Grum adj., n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/grum_adj_n2>

13646

snd

Hide Advanced Search

Browse SND:

    Loading...

Share: