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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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GUMPTION, n. Also gum(p)shi(o)n, †gumsh(e)on, †gumsion (Gsw. 1898 D. Willox Poems & Sk. 200), †gumtion. [′gʌmʃən]

1. Common sense, "horse sense," shrewdness, mother wit, savoir faire. Gen.Sc. In common colloq. use in Eng. since early 19th c. but orig. Sc.Sc. 1719 in Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 124:
'Tis sma Presumption To say they're but unlearned Clarks, And want the Gumption.Ayr. 1785 Burns To J. Goldie iii.:
Not a' her quacks wi' a' their gumption Can ever mend her.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 15:
A son they had whase name was Gib, A lad o' muckle gumsheon.Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems I. 86:
Sometimes I think it rank presumption In me to claim the Muses' gumption.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet x.:
But though he is a windy body when he gets on his auld warld stories, he has mair gumption in him than most people.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxvi.:
Ye mitha leern't mair wut ere noo, man, an' ye cud 'a ta'en a tellin' fae fowk wi' mair gumption nor yersel.m.Sc. 1924 "O. Douglas" Pink Sugar x.:
But he hes nae gumption, kinna senseless.

Hence gumptionless, adj., devoid of common sense, foolish.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick III. 46:
Haud your gumtionless tongue, man.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail xxii.:
Come awa, Watty, ye gumshionless cuif.Ags. 1880 J. E. Watt Poet. Sk. 38:
His heid was a gumptionless creel.Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 36:
He was a gumtionless aumitant.Abd. 1946 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 344:
Bit fa wad hiv thocht a quate, gumptionless thing like you wad hae haen sic an idea?

2. Pluck, self-confidence (Sh., n.Sc., Arg., Kcb., Uls. 1955).Sc. 1868 D. M. Ogilvy Willie Wabster 14:
I'll no licht doon to raise a rumption, But faith a dram wad gie me gumption; . . . 'Twad set me firmer on the saddle.

3. See second quot.Sc. 1813 Scott Bridal of Triermain ii. Interlude ii.:
This thicket, for their [artists ] gumption fit, May furnish such a happy bit.Sc. 1825 Scott Note in Jam.² s.v. gumption:
Painters call their art of preparing colours their gumption.