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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bore, Boir, v. Also: bor, boyre. [ME. and e.m.E. bore (e.m.E. also boare), ME. boren, borien, OE. borian, ON. bora.]

1. tr. a. To pierce by boring. a1500 Henr. Fab. 222.
Thir widderit peis and nuttis, or thay be bord, Will brek my teith a1500 Seven S. 757.
He … boryt the bodome in holis all 1513 Doug. xi. xiii. 94.
This ilk Butys … Out throu the nek dyd scho pers and bor 1531 Bell. Boece II. 427.
Quhen thay had laubourit all nicht, borand the dike 1563 Prot. Bk. T. Johnsoun 145.
The said … borit Robert Johnsoun boit and drounit hir 1570 Sat. P. xiv. 43.
That nobill … Was schot and throw the body borde 1578 Inv. Wardrobe 255.
Four wombillis for boiring of the cannoun navis 1628 M. Works Acc. XX. 4.
Sex borrell yrones … for boiring the quheillis with

b. To force or work out by boring. 1513 Doug. iii. ix. 88.
With a … steyng of tre, Out dyd we boyr and pyke hys mekil E c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2302.
Sanct Duthow, borit out of ane bloke

c. To make (a hole) by boring. 1551–2 Treas. Acc. X. 68.
For ane wombill to boyre cunnyng holis with 1596 Dalr. II. 17/18.
Thay … borret a hole throuch the rampard

2. intr. To pierce, make way. a1568 Scott xiii. 21.
That crewell dert outthrow my hart wald boir