Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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‡DRUM, Dram, adj., n.¹

1. adj.

(1) Sad, melancholy, discontented (n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. Add. to Douglas Aeneis, dram; 1808 Jam.), solemn, sulky.Abd. 1916 (per Bnff.⁶):
Fat wye are ye lookin' sae drum?

Hence dram-heartit, depressed (e.Lth. 1825 Jam.²).Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick x.:
That was what I said til him; but a' the same, I was gey dram-heartit, seein the way things were gaun.

†(2) Cool, indifferent.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 76:
Look'd at him with the bawaw o' her eye, As drum an' dorty, as young miss wad be To country Jock.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 101:
. . . for she look't wond'rous dram, An' thought his shifting Bydby but a sham.

†2. n. Used substantively in phr. to hing one's drum, (see quot.).n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. Add. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. dram:
He is hinging his drum, who by his countenance discovers himself to be discontented or out of humour.