Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1777-1801, 1885
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BREEM, Breme, Brim, Brum, v., n.2, adj. [brim, brɪm, brɛm, brʌm]
1. v. “Applied to the female of a swine, when she desires the male” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2); “used of a cat and also of a whale” (Ork. 1929 Marw., brim); “to burn with desire” (w.Dmf. 1899 J. Shaw Country Schoolmaster 344). Known to Fif.10 1935. Brim is now obs. or very rare in St.Eng.
Hence (a-)breemin(g), -breming, -brimmin', brummin, “applied to a sow when in season, or desirous of the boar” (Fif., Border 1825 Jam.2, brummin; Rxb. Ib., breeein, a-breeming; 1923 Watson W.-B.). Known also to Kcb.9 1935, a-brimmin'.Rxb. 1801 J. Leyden Compl. Scot., Gl. 315:
The rankest poison in the world is the broth of a brode sow, a-breming.
2. n. A state of heat.Dmf. [1777] J. Mayne Siller Gun (1836) 49:
Disporting in the sunny beam, When gentler mates are in a breem, Some seek the shade, and some the stream, And banquet there.
3. adj. Of a sow: in season. s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 270:
He was killed by drinking the kail made o' a breme sow.
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"Breem v., n.2, adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/breem_v_n2>
