A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1450, 1540-1645
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Kem, Keme, n. [North. e.m.E. kem(e (1583), var. of Kame n. with vowel of Kem v.] A comb. b. A horsecomb. c 1450 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 203.
Thrie kemmis, ane of evor 1546 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 236.
Certane kemmis, worsettis, spectikyllis c 1590 Thanes of Cawdor 196.
For ane keme xij d. 1621 Edinburgh Testaments LI. 63.
Thrie falding caisis to hald kemis 1645 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 44.
A keise with the bruiche and kemis 1645 Ib.
A lint quheill with kaird and kemmesb. 1540 Treasurer's Accounts VII. 411.
For bridill bittis, hors kemmys [etc.]
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"Kem n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/kem_n>
