A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Half-marrow, n. Also: -morrow, -mairaw. [Marrow n.] A husband or wife; a spouse.1586–7 Soc. Ant. IV. 425.
The Lord graunt our deir maister and King to happen upon the worthiest princess … for his half marrow 1600 Bk. Univ. Kirk III. 953.
Because the mariage of persons convict of adulterie is a great allurement to maried persons to committ the said cryme, thinking therby to be separate from thair awin lawfull halfe marrowes 1615 Melrose P. 200.
Remember my hartlie kindness to your good half-marrow 1631 Edinb. Test. LV. 72 b.
Fyftie merkis to be gevin at the descretioun of my half morrow … to misterfull nychtbouris c 1650 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 144.
Which should reather be ȝour exercis when ȝow a sattled with a halfmarrow1692 Presb. Eloq. (1694) 60.
Wo's me ... that my unkind mother ... hath given her sweet half-marrow such a meeting
