Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1809-1810, 1879-1961
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MAKDOM, n. Also make-, mackdom (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.); magdom, -dum (Sh.). [′mɑkdɔm; ′mɑgdɔm]
1. The individual traits of form and gait that distinguish one person from another; one's form, figure or features (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., magdum); a particular habit or idiosyncrasy; a mood, whim, crotchet.Per. a.1810 Harp Per. (Ford 1893) 419:
Yon stalwart makedom I ken richt weel.Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (22 March):
I wad ken da magdum o' Johnnie as far as I could see him.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De boy had de magdom o' his faider.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
I tink I see the magdom o' her against the sky.Kcd. 1961:
He was in een o's makdoms an didna gie me nae audiscence. It's aye been een o's makdoms tae gang an survey the wather afore he beddit.
2. A trace, vestige (Ork. 1962).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
There's no a magdom o' hid left.
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"Makdom n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/makdom>
