toom-handed

English

Etymology

toom +‎ handed

Adjective

toom-handed (not comparable)

  1. (Scotland, dialect) Emptyhanded.
    • 1812, Alexander Ross, Alexander Thomson, Helenore: Or, The Fortunate Shepherdess. A Pastoral Tale, page 8:
      Tis maybe better, I'll take fat ye gee, Ye're nae toom-handed gin your heart be free

Adverb

toom-handed (not comparable)

  1. (Scotland, dialect) Emptyhanded.
    • 1823, John Galt, The Entail: Or, The Lairds of Grippy - Volume 1, page 156:
      I wis he had na been so headstrong ; but it's a' his ain fault : howsever, it would na be canny to gang toom-handed, and I hae got a bit bill for five score pounds that I'm mindit to gie him.
    • 1827, Christian Isobel Johnstone, Elizabeth de Bruce - Volume 2, page 241:
      It's but sma' propine ; but I wad na come a'- thegither toom-handed, were it but for luck's sake
    • 2010, James Hogg, The Three Perils Of Man, →ISBN, page 177:
      What's come o' our supper, goodman, that you are coming toom-handed? Do you no think it is time your guests had something to eat, or hae ye naething either to eat or drink in this great gousty castle?
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