Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GRUM, adj., n.2 Also grumm, gromm. [grum, grɔm]
I. adj. 1. Grim, fierce, surly (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), grumm, gromm); of weather: storm-threatening (Jak.). Also in Eng. dial. Hence grummli, “of a grim, fierce or frowning appearance” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
2. Ugly, repulsive (Ib., Sh. 1955). Hence grumly, idem.Sc. a.1852 Great Silkie in Child Ballads No. 113 ii.:
Then ane arose at her bed-fit, An a grumly guest I'm sure was he: “Here am I, thy bairnis father, Although that I be not comelie.”
†II. n. A dark patch (in the sky).Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
He's no gjaain ta be lang gud, de'r a grum anunder da sun.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Grum adj., n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2023 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/grum_adj_n2>