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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TEEM, v.¹ n.¹ Also team. [tim]

I. v. 1. To discharge or empty a vessel or container, esp. of liquid (Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; m. and s.Sc. 1972). Obs. in Eng. exc. n. dial.; to drain (water) from potatoes after boiling (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Per., Slg. 1972). Also in Eng. dial.Dmf. 1766 Session Papers, Petition J. Duncan (25 July) 27:
By teaming of chamber-pots out of the back-window of his house.

2. To empty out, pour out (Sc. 1755 Johnson Dict., 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 94; Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1942 Zai; em.Sc.(a), s.Sc. 1972). Also in Eng. dial.s.Sc. 1856 H. S. Riddell St Matthew xxvi. 12:
She heth teemet this oyntment on my bodie.

3. Of water: to flow or gush copiously; of rain: to pour, come down in torrents, bucket (Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 354: Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Gen. (exc. I.) Sc. Also in Eng. dial. Ppl.adj. teemin, raining in torrents, falling heavily.Dmf. 1825 Jam.:
“Teeming and raining” is a common expression.Dmf. 1898 T. Murray Frae the Heather 94:
I lo'e thy voice, Poldorres stream, As constant frae the hill ye team.Dmb. 1899 J. Strang Lass of Lennox xv.:
An awfu' wat dat, teemin' doon in bucketfu's.

II. n. 1. An outpouring (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); in dim. form teemie, a child's word for urinating (m.Sc. 1972).

2. A very heavy, continued downpour of rain (Lnk. 1880 Jam.; m. and s.Sc. 1972).s.Sc. 1973 T. Scott Poems 366:
Sae it s'all be a sooplin teem o' rain.Dmf. 1826 A. Cunningham Paul Jones I. ix.:
We have sat out six hours of a perpendicular teem amang the broom of Langbank.Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.:
I was out in a perfect teem.