Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1836, 2004
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‡HAMPHIS, v. Also hamphise; hamfish, hemfish (Mearns5 1944); hamfis(t) (Mearns2 c.1850); humfish. To surround, hem in, confine (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems, Gl.); to hamper, curb.Abd. 1768 A. Ross The Fortunate Shepherdess 79:
What winna fouk engage, that's under care, Wi' sick a premunire hamphis'd, as were we, Fouk wad say onie thing, to get them free.Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore or the Fortunate Shepherdess 70:
Syne in a clap, as thick's the motty sin, They hamphis'd her with unco fike and din.Mry. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads II. 175:
Agast the sothroun stood a stound: Syne hamphis'd him, pele-mele, ane and a'.Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales 163:
So I borrowed a trap frae the laird's gamekeeper, and, thinks I, I'll hamphise him.Abd. 2004:
I'm fair humfisht wi ma bad leg.
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"Hamphis v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hamphis>
