Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824, 1895
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NEDEUM, n., v. Also nadium (Uls.). [′nɛdjəm]
I. n. A gnawing pain, fig. a grievance (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 363); in pl.: nonsensical ideas or actions, tantrums (Uls.).Gall.1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 362:
A nedeum gnaws her ay within; For aye she's gleboring to hersell, And cursing some to gang to hell.Uls. 1895 S. MacManus Leadin' Road to Donegal 153, 213:
Come, none of yer nadiums, but get up and put on the fire . . . They'd put up with none of his nadiums there.
II. v. To sting with pain, fig. to harbour a grievance, to fume or rage inwardly (MacTaggart).Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 363:
When a corn is biting a toe grievously, that toe is said to be nedeuming; . . . when [a person] is heard to curse and utter wicked imprecations to himself, he is then nedeuming.
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"Nedeum n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 11 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nedeum>
