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.
Quotation dates: 1736, 1857-1872, 1968
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UMOST, adj. Also umist; ümist (Sh., Ork.), ümest-. Double superlative form ümest-maist, uppermost (Sc. 1710 Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, umist). For n.Sc. forms see Eemost. [′ømɪst]Sc. 1736 Ramsay Proverbs (1776) 37:
He that wrestles with a turd will come foul aff, whether u'most or nowmost.Ags. 1857 “Inceptor” Tom of Wiseacre 65:
Improvident creatures, wha dinna ken fat end o' them's u'most.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin viii.:
What thochts were likely to be umost in oor minds.Ags. 1872 J. Kennedy Jock Craufurt 114:
To tell him if his heels or head Were u'most.Ork. 1968 M. A. Scott Island Saga 98:
The taaler maun keepit the heaves ümest-maist.
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"Umost adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/umost>
