• Toom-handed

    Origin

    Full definition of toom-handed

    Adjective

    toom-handed

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

    Adverb

    toom-handed

    1. (Scotland, dialect) Emptyhanded.
      • 1823, John Galt, The Entail: Or, The Lairds of Grippy - Volume 1, 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, It's but sma' propine ; but I wad na come a'- thegither toom-handed, were it but for luck's sake
      • 2010, James Hogg, 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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