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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MURR, v.¹, n.¹ Also mur; mør, morr (Jak.). Cf. Mirr. Also reduplic. myurr-myurr. [mʌr]

I. v. 1. To make a continuous vibrating, murmuring or purring sound (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Cai. 1963); of a cat: to purr, sometimes to growl (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sc. 1825 Jam.; Abd. 1963); of a baby: to crow or coo (Jam.); of running water or the sea: to make a murmuring sound. Vbl.n. murrin, the purring of a cat or cooing of a baby (Sc. 1880 Jam.).Slk. 1802 Hogg in Edb. Mag. (May) 369:
Sandy heard a noise like baudrons Murrin i' the bed at e'en.Ags. 1834 A. Smart Rambling Rhymes 126:
When ower the fire he murrin' sat, Ye never saw a statelier cat.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes li.:
Hearkenin' to the water, as it comes murrin', and souffin' and gurglin', on to me.Abd. 1873 J. Ogg Willie Waly 39:
Ay, pussie mur an' shak' yer tail.Abd. 1995 Flora Garry Collected Poems 18:
Fyles ye myurr-myurr to me ma leen,
Yer quaverin myowies thin an smaa, ...

2. To tingle, to itch.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Hit is murrin i' my airm.

II. n. 1. A purring, whirring, or murmuring sound, as made by a cat, a young baby, or the distant murmur of wind or sea (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ags. 1848 Feast of Liter. Crumbs (1891) 22:
Wi' distant murr ilk gust began — Gust met wi' gust in swirlin' bustle.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I could hear de murr o't.

2. A tingling, itching or prickling sensation in the body (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).