Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

TORMENT, n. Also tirment (Abd. 1914 A. McS. The Bishop 12). Sc. form and usages. [Among older speakers the n. is freq. accented as the v., on the second syllable: tər′mɛnt]

1. In derivs.: ¶(1) tormentatious, adj., troublesome; (2) tormentors, an instrument, prob. like a pair of tongs, used for toasting oatcakes.(1) Kcb. 1902 Crockett Dark o' the Moon vii.:
Gin he was as useless an' tormentatious a hound in Paradise itsel' as his kind are unto this day.(2) Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize I. ii.:
Toasting an oaten bannock on a pair of tormentors. Seeing it somewhat scowthert and blackent on the one cheek, he took it off the tormentors and scraped it with them.

2. A nagging physical pain such as a headache (Sh. 1972).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (29 Jan.):
I'm hed a torment i' me hed, Sometimes I wiss 'at I wis ded.