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.
IME, n. Also im, äim (Jak.). [əim]
1. Soot, esp. that formed on the bottom of a pot or kettle (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., Ork., Cai. 1958). Also fig.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 53:
The nicht wies whumblan' ower de sea as bleck as ime.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 85:
Yae, less! 'at spunks sae bricht sood faa ta ime!Sh. 1947 New Shetlander (March) 9:
Hert an sowl an boady seem Pickit wi aa da blœd an ime O histry.
Hence im(e)y, imi, sooty (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1958); dark, of the sky (Sh. 1958).Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 15:
I saa naethin bit a imy reeb apon his broo.Sh. 1991 William J. Tait in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 45:
An hert an sowl an boady seem
Pickit wi aa da bloed an ime
O history ...
2. A scum which forms on the surface of a liquid (Cai.4 c.1920, Cai. 1958). Also used fig.
[Norw. im, a thin coating of dust or soot, Faer. ím, soot on pots, O.N. ím, dust, ashes. Cf. Eem, n.1, v.1]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Ime n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ime>
