Dwamish

/ˈdwɔːmɪʃ/ adjective

Definition

Scottish dialect describing a person who is liable to have fainting fits or feels faint, dizzy, and confused.

Etymology

From 'dwalm' with the adjective-forming suffix '-ish.' The word developed in Scottish English to characterize people prone to syncope or experiencing a swooning condition.

Kelly Says

In the 1700s-1800s, Victorian ladies were often described as 'dwamish' because fainting was supposedly more common in women—but really it was just the tight corsets cutting off circulation!

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