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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MAUMIE, adj., v. Also malmie, malmy; mawmie (Abd. 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel 14), -y; maamie, -y; mamie. [′mɑ:me]

I. adj. 1. Of an orig. solid substance: ground into powder, crushed to a soft or fine consistency (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., maamie, Sh. 1962).

2. Of fruit or vegetables: ripe, mellow, mature (Bnff. 1962). Hence maumieness, mellowness (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 227).Abd. 1891 Bon-Accord (7 Feb.) 9:
I'm sure ye'll ca' them [peas] extra sweet, For they are fine an' mawmy.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 108:
The fruit o't was maumier to the mooth than ony peach or grape.

3. Of a liquid: thick and smooth, palatable, well matured, full-bodied (ne.Sc. 1962).Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 14:
A pint o' trykle to mak it thicker an' sweeter an maumier for the mouth.Sc. 1832 Tait's Mag. (Dec.) 374:
The liquor, though new to me, is malmy.Abd. 1922 G. P. Dunbar Whiff o' Doric 14:
The swuppert baad that mony a morn Had laucht the racin' win' tae scorn, In maamy bree noo did adorn Ilk platter, thick as stoorum.Bnff. 1955 Banffshire Jnl. (19 July):
I likewise mind o' the fine maamy sowens she made.Abd. 1993:
A pickie fine maamie broth made o a dwinin hennie.

4. Of weather: soft, calm, mild and damp (ne.Sc. 1962).Bch. 1930:
It's a maumie kin' o' nicht.Bnff. 1956 Banffshire Jnl. (6 June) 4:
Aul' Rob as we'll ca' him, wis feelin' a gey bittie stronger ae day — futher it wis the maamy spring days or no we canna say.

5. In various fig. extensions of meaning: mellow, sweet, pleasant, agreeable. Hence maumieness, sweetness.Sc. 1728 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) III. 403:
You'll probably think I am too soft and malmy now, and it may be so.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. xviii. 26:
Throwe the grit mauminess o' thocht, e'en a bit chack was negleckit.Ib. i. xx. 31:
Yer chaumer, an ye bide tharin, growes maumie, bot gin ye divna bide in't, it staws.Bch. 1929 J. Milne Dreams o Buchan 43:
Noo malmy smells cam' driftin' doon, The wife wis busy mealin' The hotterin' porritch in the pot.Abd. 1955 Abd. Press & Jnl. (24 Jan.):
The pawky Provost says we miss The maumie magic o' a kiss.

II. v. To break up the earth by delving or ploughing, to pulverise (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).