A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Porphyr(e, n. [e.m.E. porphyre (1560), -phier, also purphure (1589), late ME purfire (north., a 1450), OF porfire (mod. F. porphyre), late L. type *porphyrus purple (stone), from the Gk. Cf. ME porfurie (Chaucer) and e.m.E. porpherie (1540–1), -phyrie etc., of the same ulterior origin.] Porphyry. Also attrib. —1587-99 Hume 153/52.
Fine materialls requisite for building: as marble, porphyre, alabaster [etc.] 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 485.
On porphyr pillars
