dial. [repr. OE. efnan, ON. efna to perform (Da. evne to have ability, Sw. ämna to form, shape. Cf. ME. em-cristen for even-.] To spare time; to find an opportunity; to ‘afford’; to succeed (in doing a thing), ‘get’ (to do).
1674. Ray, N. Country Wds., Coll. 16. Chesh. … I cannot Eem, I have no leisure, I cannot spare time.
1745. Byrom, Misc. Poems (1773), I. 157, in Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.). We worken hard … An cannot eem to be so feert.
1750. J. Collier, Wks. (1819), 71, in Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.). Aw’ve tried mony a time but aw could never eem to do it.
