A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Roum, Rowm(e, n. Also: roume, roumb, rowmme; rouim; rolm(e; rume, rwm(e; rom(e; room(e; Realm. [ME and e.m.E. rume (Cursor M.), roum (c1330), romme (c1400), rome (c1440), OE, ON rúm. Cf. MDu. ruum, ruym, ruem, LG rûm.]
1. Space; extent in one, two or three dimensions. 1375 Barb. xi 129.
And swa gret rowme held thar chare That [etc.] Ib. 476.
Sa fele bataillis … That tuk sa gret rowme as thai raid c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 153/114.
Erschemen so gadderit … , In hell grit rowme thay tuke 1513 Doug. v vi 68.
Had he anys won mair rowm, tho inhy He suld ful sone haue skyppyt furth befor 1530–1 Edinb. Guild Ct. 27 Feb.
William till mak his tua chymnais … equelent of widnes & rovme as the said Elizabethis 1572 Paterson Ayr & Wigton III 256.
Ane sufficient quantity and roume of ground … extending to the quantity of twelf fallis broad 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 183.
There is no distance of place, no distance of room, that can [etc.]
b. More space than can conveniently be allocated; considerable space. 1563 Ferg. Answer in 1563-72 Tracts 34.
And because that the Latine sentences occupyeth roume … let it be sufficient to recite them in Inglish 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 432.
It is a place of room and largeness
c. Broade roome, breadth. 1624 Huntar Weights & Measures 14.
In the broade roome against the length, you will find the aunswer what the compt extendes to
d. Only in Douglas: On roume, at a distance; apart. Cf. obs. ME, in this sense (c1250–c1400). 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 294.
It sufficis vs to … stand on rowme quhair better folk bene charrit Id. Æn. v x 14.
Eneas … gave comand About the cowrt the pepil on rowm to stand, That al the feild within suldbe patent Ib. x xiii 52.
e. To hald roume, ? to maintain a distance (between ships). 1513 Doug. viii xii 83.
Cleopatra … Sclakand schetis and haldand rowme at large With purpour saill abufe hir payntit barge
2. (Sufficiency, or availability, of) space for a particular purpose or occasion; accommodation. Also as the second element of a compound in Hous-roume n. and timmer roume.(1) a1400 Leg. S. ii 88.
To here hym wes sik prese, That fawt of rowme gret thar wes c1420 Wynt. iv 985.
For fawte of rowme his mekyll mycht Kest down hillys hey on hycht 1456 Hay II 118/24.
For quhen a persone is … sclender than ar the wayis of the naturalle conduytis smaller and of lesse roum na thai ar in otheris of mare quantitee a1500 Colk. Sow i 107. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 216/11.
And aill and wyne within him sink Quhill in his wame no rowme be dry 1534 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 146.
And roum to byg ane hous in the yaird thairto next adjacent 1540 Reg. Episc. Morav. App. 392.
And to grant convenient place and roume to resaiff the teinds a1540 Freiris Berw. 218 (M).
Scho gart him creip in hy Quhair he had rowme aneuche that he micht ly 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 12.
The king, in that want of all thingis, findis rowme in ane cottage 1574 Reg. Privy S. VI 491.
Albeit thair be commoun place and rowme of ane heavin be natour and partlie usit at the burgh of Dunbar a1578 Pitsc. II 315/8.
The said man … culd nocht [hang himself] becaus he had not rowme nor tyme nor place convenient thairfoir 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 147.
For laik of rowme, that rubiature Bespewit vp the moderator 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 196.
In respect the littill roume in thair commoun buriall, that [etc.] 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 191/7.
[Indoor pastimes] maye quhyles suplee the roume quhilke being toome ualde be patent to perniciouse ydilteth 1608 Kinghorn Kirk S. 11.
Efter dyuirs cowmonings … anent the litill rowme and ewill eas in hearing the word 1650 Sc. N. & Q. 3 Ser. X 116.
[The laird] to … inlarg his dask becaus he was stretened by the little roume 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 235.
Among a great many papers … as judged wseles or wnworthie roome among others of better consequence(b) 1547 Stirling B. Rec. I 50.
The rouim is nocht convenient tharto becaus of stopping of passage, that nother hors men … nor leid men may gudlie pas by but cummir(2) 1574 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 26.
Bot tymmer rovme frielie grantit in all tymes past to all strangeris to geve thame occasioun mair willinglie to resoirt to thair schoir and hawin of Leith
b. A bait of iiij mennis rowme, a boat with space for four occupants or oarsmen. Cf. later and mod. Sc. dial. room = ‘the compartment or space between the thwarts in a boat’ (SND, s.v. Room n.1 5). c1515 Asl. MS I 159/2.
Thair is redis samekle that a man may haf a bait of iiij mennis rowme to roll our a watter of a part betuix twa knottis
3. To mak, red or gif roum. a. To clear space, chiefly around one in a battle, by killing a large number of people; also, to accommodate something. b. To allow (others) space to pass, move, etc., to give way to another. Also, fig., to make (mental) space available for (to) an emotion.a. 1375 Barb. vi 236.
He smertly ras & strykand rowm about him mas c1420 Wynt. viii 6782.
Quhare he saw the maist semble … in thare he raide And rudly rowme amang thaim maide c1475 Wall. iii 140.
The Scottis on fute gret rowme about thaim maide With ponȝeand speris 1513 Doug. x ix 12.
The bytand blaid … Amyd the rowtis reddis large rovm c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1284.
That he greit roum maid in the rout 1610 Dundonald Par. Rec. 218.
The said John … red roum for his hors gersb. ?1438 Alex. i 1548.
Thay could nocht helpe thame quhair he raid, But thole, or ellis roume him maid a1500 Peblis to Play 203.
Thay … bade gif the daunsaris rowme 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. 269.
Wow mak me rowme and lat me gae Ib. 602.
Mak roum, siris, how, that I may rin 15.. Clar. v 3006.
In feild thay maid him roum to rydfig. a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 647.
O man, … Mak rowme to reuth
4. Opportunity or scope for something or to do something. c1616 Hume Orthog. 18.
The doctour had mikle a doe to win me room for a syllogisme 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I 364.
Pray that the Lord would be pleased to giue me room to speak to His people in His name
5. A particular, or specified, space or area. Also, as the second element in a compound or quasi-compound. See also Hede-rowm(e n.(1) 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 1512.
Thay … held the roum quhair air was Nicolas Ib. 952. 1465–6 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 575.
He sall schaw the vast rowme to the mayster of the barge 1531 Edinb. B. Rec. II 49.
Quhilk place and rovme salbe callit the wobstaris place and rovme for euir 1533 Boece 586.
Thai occupijt the tempill and kirk ȝard … and … defoulit the rowme to almychty God dedicat 1538 Edinb. B. Rec. II 90, 91.
Dauid Ireland [etc.] … for the Over Bow to ansuer … William Loch [etc.] … for the West Port to ansuer; Dauid Lindsay and Robert Bischope, and awaitt vpoun the grathing of thair rowmes in skaffetting personages and ordour thairof, ilk ane for thair awin rowme 1546 Reg. Cupar A. II 4.
The lard of Cowte and his cottaris … had the hale rowme at the Kemphill has now 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 249.
The northt west trencht is condamnit all except the roum that an small peice lyis in c1554 Misc. Bann. C. II 28.
Thair wes na biggingis … in that rowme quhilk is now callit the Cannogait, bot allanerlie woddis and wildernes 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 539.
A vile hous neir that rowme quhair befoir he was ludgit 1571 Old Ross-shire I 365.
Ane barbare and sowage rowme 1577–8 Reg. Privy C. II 674.
That the Regentis grace sall repair in the rowmes quhair the said dissobediencis … ar maist frequentit to repres … the same 1590 Burntisland B. Ct. 13 Nov.
The said boitt … haweand the rowme at the ferrie c1600 Pont Cunningham 20.
Beutifull orchards and gardens, and in on of them a spatious rome adorned vith a christalin fontane cutte all out of the liuing rocke 1603 Reg. Great S. 515/2. 16.. Wode's Psalter (ed.) 71.
Thir tway lytill sangs is … bot to replenishe this roume quhilk stud empty(2) a1500 Rauf C. 809.
Schir Rauf … come rydand And in the rowme of ane renk in fewtir kest he(3) 1580–1 Lanark B. Rec. 78.
Jhone Bannatin hes gevin lecens to the … cunsall to tak ane peys of roum of his yard and to mak the passage mair braid and romer 1589 Edinb. B. Rec. V 3.
Kepand alwayes the gutter and rowme of the easindrop thairof als far as it is presently Ib. 8.
Settis … the roum of the ryn of the North Loch at the clowse for taking eilles [etc.] ?1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 1001.
The room of his house payes yearly [6 s. 8 d.](4) 1519 Wigtown B. Ct. 80a.
Ane fence maid be Thom Logan officer apone Johne McCavman mors [? read mers] rowme that nayn suld cast in it but his leif c1598 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 15a.
For weir to our goner rome 1601 Stirling B. Rec. I 98.
The said schoir rowme of the cobill fisching 1621 Craven Ch. in Orkney II 142.
The hous yaird and peat rowme 1622 Fife Synod 96.
Ministers … quha have farm roumes in labouring besyd their ordinar glyb ?1659 Rothesay B. Rec. 995.
For his kilne rome [6 s. 8 d.](5) 1595 Reg. Great S. 131/1 (see Gers n. 2). 1626 Justiciary Cases I 57.
His forrest and girs rowmes of Lernache 1699 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. IV 463.]
[Being a tenant in a grass-roum to the Earl of Traquaire
b. specif. A vacant area in a town or village, near or between buildings, or from which buildings have been cleared; a vacant lot; a site.(a) 1517 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 41.
All mydynnes … to be removit and … nayne to lye in this said rowme atour xv dayis 1533 Bell. Livy I 200/12.
The places quhare his housis stude is now the waist rovme standing before the tempill of Tellus 1552 Sc. Hist. Rev. XX 171.
The place and rowme quhair thair Hie Skule wes of before, quhilk is now waist and fallin doun 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 212.
The mercat croce and rowme thairof beand rowpit threw the towne to se quha wald big the samyn in buith or buithis 1555–6 Glasgow Prot. V 3.
The said south pairt suld haif the haill rowm abone the said laych throuchgang effering thairto 1559 Edinb. B. Rec. III 35.
Quhilk mycht be ane sufficient and meitt roume to iij choppis 1596 Glasgow Chart. II App. 569.
The roume betuix the kirk gavill and tofallis 1596 Ib. 570.
Johne Ros … to … clenge the said rowme, and hald it clengit 1596 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 329.
Thair ground and rowme within the port callit the Mekill Yet 1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V 295.
The roume and plaice in the buriall yaird quhair sumtyme wes situat the Grayfreiris 1614 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 108.
The rowme place and stance of the Blakfreir Kirk … quhair the samin of auld wes situat 1634 Dundonald Par. Rec. 386.
Als much of … his yaird … as … may be ane sufficient rowme to place the said schoole wpon 1662 Rothesay B. Rec. 297. 1692 Lanark B. Rec. 241.
The … counsell have condescended to build two stairs without the Laigh Kirk to answear the lofts and that upon the voyd roume quhair [etc.](b) 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 99.
Rome
c. specif. A (freq., unoccupied) part of the floor space of a church. 1582–3 Reg. Privy C. III 549.
The rowme within the Kirk of Edinburgh quhair the … counsale thairof sittis in tyme of sermone 1636 Boharm Kirk S. 10 April.
She had disponit … the half of the dask with the roume thereof 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 80.
The maister of kirkwark to … fitt and prepair that roume for accomodating of the baptismers 1658 Rothesay Par. Rec. 2.
That the rowme in the kirk quher Scoulogs dask is did belong to them 1659 Ib. 10.
The provest, baylys [etc.] … to regulat the seattis within ther division and to designe ilk heritour ther rowme according to ther interest in the brugh Ib.
That these who have ther rowmes designed laigh beare burthen with the rest in building the loft 1664 Sc. Ant. V 16.
A commodious roome in the queire of Dunblaine for building of ane seat … for … his familie 1665 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 64.
The desk room to the east of the pulpit … to be settled on him and his successors 1669 Elgin Rec. II 307.
Rume 1670 Dunkeld Presb. II 459.
The roome before the tuo yles 1670 Elgin Rec. II 307.
Suplication … by Thomas Calder … desyring ane roome for ane seat. … Granted the roome in the new isle under the pend 1674 Boharm Kirk S. 21 June.
Ane supplication … for a roume in the church. It was answered he could have any roume except the ministers and Auchluncarts buriall place 1674 Cramond Kirk S. II 15 March.
Ane roume or place … for three daskes or seats 1680 Kingarth Par. Rec. 124.
That the whole pews be forthwith sett up under pain of losing the room 1688 Cramond Kirk S. II 6 May.
That roume between the pulpit & Murhouse seatt … being to little 1688 Robertson Cullen Ch. Ann. 69.
[Two pews to be erected] in the east side of the Duffs Ile in the roome called Skeith's lair next unto Tochieneal's seat, or pew
d. The space in a market where stalls are set up. See Stand n. 5 for further examples. 1603 Reg. Great S. 514/2.
Off ilk laid of victuall cumand within the hallis and merkett-place of the said burgh to pay for standand rowme [etc.] 1641 Stirling Chart. 149.
Lie stand roume 1668 Glasgow B. Rec. III 105.
To ordaine their said stockis and rowmes [in the flesh-market] to be lotted yearly and cavillit 1669 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 255.
And sall clenge … the same … with the calsie wheron they ar sett and to set out the same [stands] euerie morning in ther proper roumes
6. pl. Territories; domains; dominions; bounds.(a) c1475 Wall. vi 270.
Sa he begane with strenth … To chewys agayne sum rowmys off Scotland 1531 Bell. Boece I xiii.
Siclik the Trojanis … The vailyeant Grekis fra thair roumes dang Ib. II 186, etc. Ib. (M) I 91.
Quhat is thair desyre bot to sitt doun perpetuallie in oure rowmis Id. Livy I 26/2.
The Romanis … bringand new rowmes vnder thare dominioun Ib. 53/14.
Thir twa pepill alliat togiddir be proximite of blude and rowmes 1533 Boece 41b, etc.
Pichtis … in quyet and eis suld haue large and ampill rowmys in Albioun 1560 Rolland Seven S. 13.
Rome … conquest grit realmes, lordschips and rowms braid Ib. 3691. 1570 Sat. P. xviii 39.
Lat neuer thai ruffians within ȝour rowmis reill(b) 1546 Goudie Shetl. Antiq. 145.
The sayd Margret sall suple the sayd Thorrald … within the romys of Zetland
b. pl., also sing. Landed estates; (a person's) lands.pl. 1468 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 6.
Thai sal supple lauchfull and honest defens of thare lifis landis heretaige rovmys office a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 557.
Than rowmes and ritches sall mak thé na remeid 1523–4 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 195.
In the west cuntre, the quhilk is thar rowmys and at thai [sc. the Hamiltons] ar gretest intill 1528 St. P. Henry VIII IV 522.
Without I and my frendis be restorit to our heritagis, … rowmys, and possessiounis 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 47.
For we think greit lak to gang fra our native rowmes quhilk my husband and his surname hes brukit thir thre or four hundreth yeris c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 709.
Joys I my life & bruik rowmes in this land [etc.] 1559 Corr. M. Lorraine 427. 1562-3 Winȝet I 95/1.
To baneis Christianis and trew Scottismen fra thair roumes and possessiones 1565 Cal. Sc. P. II 240.
[That I and the rest … may be restored to] rowmis and natyive cuntreyth 1565–6 Reg. Privy C. I 428.
The commendatare … is of mynd to set the saidis landis and myln his kyndlie rowmes to [etc.] 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 197.
The Forbesses, whois rowmes he is going about to destroye with fyre and sword 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 219.
Intending … to invade and persew utheris, thair freindis and rowmes, for revenge of thair prevat querrellis 1594 Aberd. Council Lett. I 59.
Quhatsumever landis rowmes levingis and possessions quhilkis pertenit to oure declarit trateirous rebellious and unnaturell subiectis 1606 Highland P. III 88.
Gif it mycht pleise ȝour majestie to continew me [in] the possessioun of thais kyndlie rowmes [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset I 58/14.
All greit baronis salbe inhibit to marie with uthir … speciallie gif thair landis and rowmes lyis togidder 1641 Stirling Chart. 159.
Omnibusque et singulis alijs, terris, prediis, lie roumessing. 1570 Bann. Memor. 49.
Our said darrest guidschire … euer stoud in assured hope … to recouer his owin rowme and to come againe to his natiue cuntrie 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 14.
Thair came … tua ambassadouris … with wreittingis … for restoiring of the erle of Angus to his awne rowme
c. sing. A landed possession. 1565–6 Reg. Privy S. V ii 63/2.
The same abbay … wes his [sc. Bothwell's] maist native rowme and kyndlie possessioun
7. An area of land delimited by recognized boundaries and held or occupied as arable or grazing by a tenant for an agreed rent; a farm.In pl., common in legal documents detailing the features of an estate (cf. 6 b above, with which there may be some overlapping).Freq. determined by a possessive adjective.sing. (1) 1535 Stewart 428.
Men had leuer haif … to eik his pelfe, His nychtbouris roume [etc.] 1551 Prot. Bk. Sir A. Gaw 20.
Gif the saidis personis … labouris nocht thare hayl rowm 1563 Acts II 540/1.
That na kyndlie lauchfull possessour tennent or occupyar … be remouit fra thair kyndelie rowme … be the allegeit fewaris 1574 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1940) 5.
He levis to Willie of Allanehauch the Kirkland his awne rowme 1589 Ib. (1905) 51.
At nae time heirafter to presume nor take upon hand ane other freind's kindlie roume or roumes or steidings pertaining to us or onie ane of us owr another freind's head 1595 Reg. Privy C. V 241.
[They had spuilȝied the whole goods and plenishing in his] kyndlie duelling and rowme [of Ardowaneck in Braidalbane] 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 30.
The said William … wranguslie intruiseit him self in the possessioune of ane parte in the said compliners roume 1612 Edinb. Test. XLVII 85.
That my spous … keip still the possessioun of this my onsteid and rowme during hir widowhood 1612 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI 205.
He hes … grudged with Mr. Robert for taking his kyndlie rowme c1615 Breve Cron. Earlis Ross 23.
And put him out of his father's roume called Culnaha and Annat ?a1640 Copie of a Baron's Court (1821) 29.
What are you resting … ? [Tenants:] More nor our room can pay 1650 Brechin Presb. 40.
Depones that … Catharin Lyall's son took his roum, which he had in labouring of the laird of Craig 1663 Stitchill Baron Ct. 29.
The said Andro first bedded the kylle and the said Alexander offered to … dispossess him and his rowme at his awn hand 1680 Irvine Deeds MS (Marriage Contract).
And shee … substituts the said John Gray … in her full right roume & place of the premiss for evir(2) 1505 Chart. Coupar A. II 115.
And Wilȝamme Jakis akaris on the west syd hys kyl contenit and standand in the samyn rowme 1558–9 Chart. Coupar A. II 225.
[The lands of the Grange of Kyncrech … with the] roume and valk milnis [of the same] 1585 Edinb. Test. XIV 246b.
I … leuis to … my spous the intromissioun of the haill gudis and geir … of the roume 1591 Ib. XXIII 146b.
My spous … to haif the vther half of the rowme during hir wedowheid 1591 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 9 April.
He delywerit to Johne Scherar new tennand … twa bollis of aittis sawing to geif hym entre and possessione of the said rowme a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 272.
It wes opponed that he wes both ane farmer and had the rowme in steilbow 1661 Nicolson Diurnals p. 21.
James Lister hes left the roume for inabilitie 1675 Cunningham Diary 7.
I also promising 40 m. down in case Malcome were content to leave the rowme that I had no more to doe with him as a tennent 1687 Wamphray Baron Ct. 5 May.
This rowme is appoynted to pay 1300 lib. yeirlie eight wedders four stone of chees two stone of butter, & 24 kane fowls(3) 1522 Aberd. B. Rec. I 103.
[To be] maid inhable in his persoun to bruik euermair tak or rovme within the said fredome 1576 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 273.
No party … hes place … to … persew quhatsumeuir uther persoun for tak steding or rowme bot he that hes tytill tharto 1581 Reg. Privy C. III 391.
The saidis fischingis ar kyndlie rowme and possessioun to the said James 1607 Melrose Reg. Rec. I 30.
The peice roume compeneanit betuix him and James Hall sould be metit and maircheit be the nychtbours(4) 1580 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1905) 51.
[Hoscot,] ane rowme of Watt Scott of Hardenis 1600-1610 Melvill 20.
That therefter he might acquent me also with housbandrie, and prepear for me a roum 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI 417.
In a rowme that he haldis of the Laird of Tullybardin 1625 Misc. Spald. C. V 223.
Husbandman … that sall … flit frome ane rowme to ane wther 1627 Justiciary Cases I 73.
Scho refuisit at his desyre to duell in ane uther rowme of his callit Balgoner ?1627 Orkney Rentals iii 70.
The rent and worth of everie rowme in the paroch both in stock and teynde c1630 Scot Narr. 278.
Bowhill, a little roome of his owne 1663 Decis. Lords G. 49.
The deceast John Anderson, by his second contract of marriage, … conquests a room to himself in liferent 1665 Ib. 103.
Sir Andrew Murray of Pitlochie having set a tack of a room to … his tenent for certain years 1685 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. III 583.
They depone not what a roum does pay, but what it might, if it were well stocked and laboured 1686 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII 13.
A roume in … horne pertaining heretablie to Lord Neill Campbell 1699 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. IV 462.
That such a roum or parcel of land is part of that barony(5) 1562 Prot. Bk. Gilbert Grote 53.
[The half of the] roume [of Ravilstoun] 1588 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 12 June.
The tak rowme & steding of Overblarak 1593 Reg. Privy C. V 83.
The rycht and kyndnes quhilk sho had to rowme and steding of Grenesyde 1600-1610 Melvill 14.
Adjacent to his awin house and roum of Baldowy 1610 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 108/13, 1.
Hary Ruthuen is doar and factor to Williame Wallace, in this rowme of Colone 1649 Lamont Diary 8.
William Alexander … sold his rowme of Bayre-hills to ane Ayton there 1687 T. Brown Diary 45.
In the roume and bull of Wardspl. (1) 1484 Grant Chart. 36.
The said parteis sall … diffend ilkain vthiris rowmis takis and bailȝeoriis fra sorning [etc.] 1488 Stewart Mem. 77.
The said Duncain Campbell … sall nocht tak uther takis, … officis, bowndis, nor rowmys ony maner of way c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 133/6.
For rekkyning of my rentis and roumes Ȝe neid not for to tyre ȝour thowmes [: soumes] Ib. 191/37.
Quha can reive uthir menis rowmis … Is now ane active man and wyice 1516 Reg. Privy S. I 423/2.
All … thairis heretagis, landis, … rowmys, bailȝerais, grangis, stoir placis [etc.] 1531 Aberd. B. Rec. I 140.
Under the panis of tinsall of all and sindry thair takkis, and roums they had on the samyn 1539 Peebles Chart. 57. 1544 Reg. Privy S. III 132/2. 1560 Ib. V i 185/1.
And that the said erle put nane of the fretennentis nor uthir fra thair kyndlie rowmes 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 10.
Donald Gormesoun [of Skye] … [to] use the samyn [lands] … as his heretage and kyndlie rowmes, conforme to his rychttis and titillis thairof a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 331/21.
Quha [sc. tenants] ganestandis Thay wilbe put sone fra thair rowmes 1572 Bk. Dunvegan I 35.
My haill heritages landis takis staidingis roumes possessiones kirkis kirklandis guidis and geir 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 310.
With all libertie ower all places, tounis and rowmes quhair euer it may be 1580 Edinb. Test. VIII 126b.
I leue my gude will with fauour & kyndnes of my haill roumes … to my … husband 1580 Crown Chart. MS (Reg. H.).
To laiff thair saidis stedingis and rowmes wode and red 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter. 1611 Red Bk. Grandtully I 111. 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 207.
Lyk as ther rowmes and lands assest be the nobilmen … being of that nature that they can be put to no uther use bot onlie for pasturage and that principallie of scheipe 1684 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI 141. 1688 Tryal Philip Standsfield 32.
[To have] forfaulted, amitted and tint … his lands, … tacks, steedings, roumis, … goods and gear whatsomever pertaining to him(b) 1525 Thanes of Cawdor 145.
Rolmes(c) c1620 Sutherland Bk. II 346.
Make the greatest profeit yow can of all your girsings and heeland roomes(2) 1527 Douglas Corr. 119.
And haldis the saidis mysdoaris out of ony rowmys committit to me in cure 1545 Aberd. B. Rec. I 219.
To sett ony rovmes or takis of new tha can find vaccand to ony nochtbour of the guid towne 1557 Reg. Privy S. V i 50/2.
The … abbay of Kelso … and the dispositioun thairof and of all rowmes belangand thairto pertenis to hir grace 1558–9 Exch. R. XIX 451.
Bondis vulgo rowmis 1564 Menzies MSS in 6th Rep. Hist. MSS App. 692/2.
We ar informit that ȝe haue plasit Makrannald in the samin rowmes quhairof the heretage pertenis to the Laird of Weym 1571–2 Reg. Privy C. II 110.
Consenting to the few of the landis and rowmes … quhilkis ar possessit be auld and kyndlie rentalit tenentis 1593 Edinb. B. Rec. V 103.
The rowmes at the toun wall … is wranguslie … expropriat be certane nychtbouris 1611 Reg. Panmure I xcix.
Quhilkis tua roumes wmquhile Walter Maule geawe in nem of towquhaire withe his daughter ?1627 Orkney Rentals iii 70.
Verie small peeces of ground vnworthie the appellation of rowmes 1627 Rep. Parishes 29.
The westsyd of the burne of Tillicultrie sett out in ferming be Sir William Alexander … being four roumes occupyet be Johne Waitt … and diverse vtheris Ib. 197.
A populous toune quhairin thair is fortie single roumis laiking ane halfe roume commonlie callit halff five markis roumis ?a1640 Copie of a Baron's Court (1821) 17.
The roomes are rental'd to so high avail 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 242. — 1627 Rep. Parishes 197.
The whole teandis off this baronie, manse-toune and by roumis(b) 1551 Black Bk. Taymouth 191.
The said Collin and his to staik tham resonable for thair awin payment of rwmes and landis(c) 1608 Yester Wr. 288.
The teind sheaves of the lands and rooms of Skedisbus 1648 Sc. Hist. Rev. XIII 386.
By excambion is understood the changing of roomes qhilk oftymes was done without new infeftment therfor 16.. Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. III 208.
That part of Dalgarno called Keeple Water consists of four rooms pertaining to the Duke of Queensberry(d) 1627 Orkney Rentals iii 77.
As for the casualitis off thair romes, … thair is nane in the parichon(4) 1627 Dunkeld Presb. II 368.
The rowmes off the paroche 1698 Sc. Studies I 46.
[Sir John Wauchope infefted in] two roumes of the half lands of Naetoun
b. A holding of moorland or bog (see Mos n. 4). 1486 Prestwick B. Rec. 31.
Wrangwisly he come in his rowm of the mos & hakkit his pettis 1601 Paisley B. Rec. 241.
For metting of the said mos rowmes 1659 A. Hay Diary 41.
I went to the mosse becaus I was informed that Alexander Stevenson had taken up my roume 1685 Acts VIII 495/1.
If the rowm be ane mureland rowm
8. An interior enclosed by walls or partitions; a hall, chamber or apartment.Also with preceding adj. or noun specifying the function or situation of the ‘room’.(1) 1512–13 Treas. Acc. IV 466.
Ressauit be Johne of Drummond for his pantreis and rowmes 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I 177.
[To] birn thame [sc. clothes] … that he fyndis owtwith lokfast rowmes 1533 Bell. Livy I 78/17.
The pepill had penurite of rowmes to thare habitacioun within the toun 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 6.
Ane priuat house infectis … gif the inhabitantis hes inuiseit vther infectit rowmis 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V 46.
That the officers … serche and braik doun thair hairthis and roumes maid for doing of the samyn 1600-1610 Melvill 50.
Sa that the Collage was sa frequent as the roumes war nocht able to receaue tham 1617 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 81.
For painting the rowme within the new hall and for furneisching … with marble dures and chinnayes [sic in pr.] 1647 Edinb. Surgeon's Rec. in Gairdner Hist. Coll. Surg. 30.
[They had taken as a house of meeting] thre rowmes of ane tenement of land 1665 Lamont Diary 178.
The hospitall att the church of Largo … consisted of 14 divers rowmes, … in each rowme ther was a bed, a closett and a lowme 1675 Edinb. B. Rec. X 239.
[A committee is appointed] to visit the correctione hous and to tray out for some fitt roume for keepeing the distracted people that are sent to the hous of correctione 1678 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt.
For 40 load coalle furnished … to Dalkeith Castle for airing the rowmes 1693 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 2.
To McKuloch for linning a room in the top of Waristons land(b) 1630 Chron. Perth 33.
George Hey … did big ane twriet, or somerhous wpone the head of the rome of monkis tour on the tounes comoun wall(c) 1676 Glasgow Chart. II 188 n.
For … casieing the sellers and stable, and for four roumbs abov them(2) 1512–13 Treas. Acc. IV 471.
For ij dusan of sperris to the James pantry rowmes 1513 Ib. 481.
For ijc rauchtouris … for the pantry rowmes of the greit schip 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 18.
[The queen herself] lay thair in ane laicher rowme under the kingis chalmer 1572 Inverness Rec. I 221.
Ane chalmer rowme within the kirk yeard 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 208.
The quhole stoir rowmes quhilk ar set out to tennentis quho [etc.] 1626 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 12.
Thay oppinit the durres of thair ship in the low rowmes thairof we saw her full loadnit with barrelis 1635 Haddington Corr. 303.
In the bake rowme within the said chalmber 1649 Glasgow B. Rec. II 168.
To caus deisse the wall of the bellhous rowme quhair the sessioun is to sitt 1651 Buccleuch Mun. II 291 (see Latter-meit(t n. (2)). 1686 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 168.
The laich rowme in the north end of the tolbooth kirk wher the touns magazein of armes are to lye 1695 Edinb. Test. LXXX 134.
The butter roum
b. (A particular person's) roumes, a set of rooms occupied as living quarters. 1623 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 154.
For ane great stok locke to the turnepykheid dore that gois up from the kingis rowmes to Buckinghames rowmes 1629 Ib. 257.
The great trans abone the kingis rowmes c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. p. 3.
The lodging of the provost, where now the Principall of the Colledge hath his rowmes
c. ? A compartment, alcove. c1420 Wynt. v 5530.
In a welle mad rowme [W. stage] wes set A[ne] ymage off the Trinyte
d. A sepulchre or perh. a further example of 5 above. c1450-2 Howlat 475 (A).
He … Come to the haly graf … With all the relykis raith that in that rovme was He gart hallowe the hart
9. A space cleared between ‘pillars’ of coal to enable one or more miners to work at the coal-face.(a) 1670 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt.
[For] reding of his rowme with 2 beirers at 4 d. a day 1671 Dunferm. Coal Acc. 5b.
For straiking vp ane new roum Ib. 7b.
For halff a pund candell to sie to red the roumes Ib. 10b.
To him for drawing the water … out of the tuo new roumes 1672 Sinclair Hydrostaticks 284.
The smoke whereof being full of sulphur … filleth all the waste rooms underground 1672 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 13 April.
For bearing murmunt out of the leavell head roume 1673 Ib. 28 June.
For making 3 scaffolds for keeping of raine of the workmen in the levell roume 1674 Ib. 14 Feb.
For aftaking beif & reding a fal in his room 1678 Ib.
For wining a rowme out of the levelhead 1681 Ib. 15 Jan.
For winning out a roume(b) 1685 Fawside Coal Compt 153.
For a rume redding … 10 s.
II. 10. lit. and fig. A place, without reference to its area; a spot; a (military) post; a position. 1533 Bell. Livy I 145/6.
This Cocles, set be aventure in ane rovme maid for defence of the said brig 1574 Acts III 87/2.
Prouiding alwayis that schip men … landing in this realme having licence of the schiref … may pas … to the rowmes quhair thay intend to remane 1581 Burne Disput. in 1573-1600 Cath. Tr. 131/20.
He quha suppleis the roume of the vnlearned hou sall he ansuere Amen 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 238.
There is none that … will settle his heart in that room quhilk he is not able to keep c1630 Scot Narr. 306.
My Lord [sc. Archbishop], … I have seen one right high, mounted in your roome and course [etc.] a1652 Dickson Psalms III 36.
Worthy of a room in our meditation of Gods provident care a1658 Durham Commandments (1675) 199.
The highest room at table ?1665 M. Bruce Six Dreadfull Alarms 20.
As long as ye give not him the chief place and room, ye will be but bumbles at doing 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 51.
Yet this reason cannot have roome in our case 1679 Cunningham Diary 111.
For a coach roome from Leith, 2 s.
b. A place or station specifically allocated to a person, also a thing. 1475 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 232.
The saidis twa craftismen sall … haue thair placis and rowmes in all generale processiouns 1513 Doug. ix iv 135.
The nixt wach … to thar rowmys went 1545 Elgin Rec. I 85.
Wyncent Robertsoun, Robert Murray [etc.] … wrangit in leving the rovm commandit to tham to vach be the baillie c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 184.
So hes the wekit … thair awin appoyntit rowmes in Hell a1578 Pitsc. I 229/11.
Sett ȝour sellffis in order everie man to his awin rowme c1570–85 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXVII 193.
The bisshopps and earles that … getts na rome are placed in the second degree with the … great barons 1638 Henderson Serm. 513.
When thou art placed in that stance, thou should keep it, and not … remove to another man's room 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 480.
Therefore let every thing be kept in its own room
11. The space inside a mill estimated as necessary to house the corn of a particular individual while it awaited grinding, appar. allocated in a recognized sequence, and ? paid for by delivery of a quantity of corn to the miller (cf. Roum-fre adj.). Passing into: b. One's ‘turn’ in the order of those coming to have corn ground.(a) 14.. Acts I 33/1.
Et locum molendini qui vocatur roume unicuique fideliter observando Ib. 334/2.
Of millaris … Thai halde nocht till ilk man the roum as law valde bot for meyd thai tholis ane in anotheris roume grynde 1482 Peebles B. Rec. I 192.
The said Jhon … sall … mak dew seruice … to serwe the nychtbouris … in the drying of thar cornes kepand euir ilkman his rowme as efferis 1506 Ib. 200.
Thai sal kep rowmys to ilk man elyk as thai ar suor be thair gret aithis 1510 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 130.
For ceissing of variance … and keping of thair rowmis in the grinding of thair gristis of quheit at thair commoun mylnis 1522–3 (c1580) Ib. 216.
Gif he takis it [sc. wheat] nocht furth, it sall kep na rowme and nocht to be ground quhill his nixt rowme cum about 1523 Dundee B. Ct. I fol. 148 (26 June).
And thai gif nocht thar quhet to the seruandis of the myll … cumand with the hors to thar dur that the denyar thairof incontinent to be pundit for dry multour but ony proces in the rowm stentit as vnder writyn Ib.
And this day the xxvj day the first rowm to begyn at Dauid Fothryngam & swa seuen gatis abowt 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 226.
The said James in his negligence had tynt his rowme of grinding thairof becaus the … servandis in the saidis mylnis wald nocht place him in ane vther mannis rowme ?1581 Perth Guildry p. 405 (31 Aug.).
Ilk freman of the comite salbe seruit in to his rovme of gryndeing as thair fredome is 1591 Edinb. B. Rec. V 43.
The said maltmen sall willinglie pay … twa penneis of knaiffschip for ilk laid for dew wairning and keping of thair rowmes 1597 Misc. Spald. C. I 131.
Thow being in the mekill milne of Esselmonthe, grinding sum meill, wmquhill William Cowpar being siclyk thair, grinding meill, he and thow discordit for the rowme of the myll 1615 Urie Baron Ct. 15.
Quhasoewer cwmis to the mylne first with their corneis sall keip their rowm 1631 Linlithgow B. Rec. 14 Jan.
That he keip ewerie man his awin rowme to keip peace among the saidis girsteris 1632 Aberd. Trades 218.
At the flour mill within this burgh … everie ane to have his rowme about(b) 1476 Peebles B. Rec. I 176.
The childer that sall serue in the sayd myllis … sall kep romys at thair power
c. A place in a series or logical sequence. 1533 Boece 229b.
Fergus … gat apoun this lady thre sonnys … of quham in thare rowme salbe maid mencioun 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 39.
And thou man be partaker of the substance in the first roume. Then in the nixt roume, thou man be [etc.] 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 31/4.
As for the pointis of equitie … I leaue it to the awin roume 1638 Henderson Serm. 525.
In the last roum a1652 Dickson Psalms III 21.
Saving grace bestowed upon us should have the first room in our thanksgiving unto God 1664 W. Guthrey Sermon 44.
I shall in the next roome give you some few items that [etc.]
d. Everie (man, etc.) in his (awin) roume, everyone his (proper) turn. 1560 Bk. Disc. 217.
That everie man in his roume shall nominat suche one as [etc.] 1564 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 52.
That every brother sould speake in his awin rowme with modestie
12. Authority; (the) powers (of a person, or of his office). c1450-2 Howlat 984 (A).
Bot thow reule thé richtuis thi rovme sall orere Thus said the howlat c1475 Wall. x 1152.
The lord off Lorn has rowme [1570 greit rowme] in to the hycht a1500 Seven S. 624.
Ypocras … wald neuer leir him nane For dreid he of his rowme had tane c1515 Asl. MS I 226/1.
Alexander Lyndesay … held ane gret rowme in his tyme for he held all Angus in his bandoun c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xxvi 52 marg.
He takis the rowmme of God vpoun him and is sedicius 1570 Sat. P. xviii 91.
Thair pryde … That dois pretend … To royall roume and heich authoritie 1584 Melvill 204.
They haid hoised upe that man of sin into the thron and roum of that onlie … head, the Lord Jesus 1635 Dickson Hebrews 132.
When God gaue foorth the ceremoniall lawe, hee reserved rowme to himselfe to chaunge it
13. An office or function; an appointment; freq., a charge in the Reformed Church.To fill, fullfill, supplie (a, one's, etc.) roume, to fill a post and carry out the duties associated with it.(1) 1560 Facs. Nat. MSS III xliii.
That I may be at all tymis in the roum quhair seruice occurris 1562–3 Cal. Sc. P. I 693.
[Arran] contented him self witht the usurped rowme 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 532.
To se oure … sone … in that rowme and honorabill estait quhairto he justlie aucht and man succeid to 1567 Anderson Collect. Mary II 208.
We ar sa vexit … that our body, spirite and sencis ar altogidder becum unhabill langer to trauell in that rowme 1571 Sat. P. xxvi 94.
God … Will from that rowme thoill you to be detrusit, Planting vthers into that charge ye bure 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 226.
Hir … sensses are not sa febled … that scho was not able to discharge hir self of the office … as sufficientlie as ony whom they desyrit to be placit in the rume ?1572 Bann. Memor. 339. 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xlii 265. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 352.
The kirkis and rowmes destitute of pastouris and ministratioun a1578 Pitsc. I 200/25.
Because the Homes ever intendit to haue ane pryour in that roume of thair awin surname 1579 Acts III 179/2.
Sex dayis efter the vaicans of the rowme be disceis or vtherwis 1579 Reg. Privy C. III 243. 1583 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 91.
Mr. Robert … salbe advancit to the maist honorable roume that sall vaik thairin 1600-1610 Melvill 6.
I durst na wayes waver … bot stand stedfast in that roum and station wher he haid placed me Ib. 38.
Sche left sax of hir sonnes in honest roumes; all … bearing office in kirk or comoun weill Ib. 419.
To be debarrit St. Androis, and tak him to an upeland roum, or then want all roum in his native countrey 1626 Aberd. Council Lett. I 252.
Anent the presentatioun of Mr. James Sibbald to the vacant rowme in our ministerie a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1655) 444.
Such as have not received ordination should not be permitted to teach in great rooms, except … in the defect of actuall ministers — 1600-1610 Melvill 41.
They haiffing neid of a Professour of Humanitie … put him … to tryell … ; but farder he is placed in that roum of profession(2) 1568 Lyndesay Pref. (S.T.S.) 400.
Bot now dull Asynis had ascendit to thair rowmis a1568 Balnavis Bann. MS 138b/43.
Than thy rowme waikis Ane vder it taikis 1581 Melvill 109.
That sindrie … , haiffing na function of the Kirk, sould … depose tham [sc. ministers] from thair roumes 1600-1610 Melvill 58.
Thinking the young king … could never be sure sa lang as the Hamiltones keipit ther roumes 1635 Dickson Hebrews 12.
God made not the angels to get anie parte of Christ's rowme in the Churches worship 1638 Baillie I 110.
It was not their pleasure he nor his collegue … should brook their roomes any longer c1650 Spalding I 357.
The deposit Doctor Scrogeis place, whose roume still vaikit fra the tyme of his deprivatioun a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 113.
As to fit everyone sufficiently, and to place them in their right room(3) a1578 Pitsc. I 173/22.
He had banist the nobill Duik of Albanie … and had maid Cowchrane … to fullfill his rowme 1583 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 294.
That thai cause ane of thair brether … to supplie thair rowme 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 108/2.
Sicc roumes as aucht to be filled uith men of uisdome & discretion 1640 Baillie I 245.
We have no able expectants almost to supplie roumes 1649 Dumfries Kirk S. 22 Feb.
Robert Boyd is ordained to be called for to fill his rowme [as elder] c1650 Spalding II 260.
Likeas his roume wes fillit with Mr. Williame Douglass
b. The offices and dignity of a particular rank, calling or employment; also, (a person's) royal or kinglie rowme.(1) 1560 Coll. Rebus Alban. in Orig. Par. II i 379.
[He agreed] to be countit unworthie to bruike ony rowme of ane gentillman for evir in Scotland 1562-3 Winȝet I 43/15.
That na vnworthy persoun mycht quietlie creip to … the preistis roum c1590 Fowler II 55/7.
Hir companioun … did fulfill the roume & place of an aduocat 1600-1610 Melvill 10.
Giff … the intrant be worthie of the roum of this ministerie [etc.] 1622-6 Bisset II 298/17.
He ministrate in the rowme of ane deacone(2) 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 539.
He is nocht of habilitie … to administrat in his kinglie rowme and governament … quhill that heireftir he cum to the yeris of discretioun 1626 Garden Worthies 68.
Come … most fit To [etc.] … Thy royall roume of right requyreth it
14. In (one's) roume, in (the) roume of (a person, also a thing), in (the) place of, instead of; as a substitute for.In early use, as in e.m.E., with reference to offices or appointments.(1) 1531 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 58.
Patrik Carvour … enterit this ulk in James Layng rowm 1552 Edinb. B. Rec. II 174.
That thair be nane chosin in thair rowme and place without he be ane qualifyit persoun 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 175/5.
And thais godlie fatheris succedant in thair rowme 1564 Reg. Privy C. I 304.
Quhairby the said David is in the rowme of him the auld kyndlie native possesour thairof 1565 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 27.
Dioconis, Johne Sinklair, Johne Rychisone, in quhas rome succedis Johne Schort 1572 Sat. P. xxxvi 118.
Had Christ himself bene in the Perseyis rowme, I wait ȝe wald have playit Judas pairt 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 234.
Cuthbert Ramsay … wes proclamit the quenis custumar in Edinburgh … in the rowme and place of … [the] last custumare thairof 1587 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 137.
Wylyeme Kethe hes omittyt no thing that oneye jentylmane in his rowme could parforme 1596 Dalr. I 164/11.
Emperour Domitian calling him vnto Italie substitute in his roume Julius Agricola 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 124/5.
Sa to go forduarte quhill he place his haill corruptid affectionis in Goddis roume 1598 Id. Minor Prose 71/11.
The people might vn-make the king, & put an other in his rowme 1622-6 Bisset II 295/16.
Matthias, quha wes chosin in the rome of Judas the tratoure c1630 Scot Narr. 116.
The king was earnest to have others planted in the ministers of Edinburgh their roomes 1637 Rothes Affairs Kirk App. 199.
There might perchance come one much worse in his roume 1647 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 82.
[They] did send out thair seruant or some weake nauchtie persone in thair stead and roum 1650 Lamont Diary 22.
Mr. Rob. Blaire was desired to come to Glasgowe in the rowme of D. Strange wha was deposed for some erronius opinions a1658 Durham Blessedness Death (1713) 150.
He [sc. Christ] having satisfied for them, and in their room(2) 1616–17 Misc. Hist. Soc. X 92.
Some prayers … ar omitted, and others meeter for this tyme placed in their rowme 1635 Dickson Hebrews 123.
Paying of tithes, or mayntaynance in rowme of tithes 1658 Hunter Fam. P. 58.
In rowme and place of the samyn 1672 M. Bruce Rattling Dry Bones 38.
Better shall be put in their room [of the stones fallen out of the wall]
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Roum n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Oct 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/roum_n>