Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACK-OWRE, adj., v., adv., prep. [′bɑk′ʌur but bɑk′ʌur, v.]
1. adj. Situated behind; latter.Bnff.2 1932:
He hisna muck to the back-owre park, an' he's lattin't lie in girss.Abd.2 1932:
Ye'll come an' spen' a hale day wi's in the back-owre en' o' the year.
2. v. To move back.Mry.2, Abd.2 1932:
Backowre yer cairt to the lithe side o' the ruck an' t'll mak' the forkin' easier.
3. adv. Behind, backwards.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
Back-owre. Behind; q[uasi] a considerable way back, often in relation to objects more at hand.Ags. 1872 J. Kennedy Jock Craufurt 13:
Backowre wi' sudden jerk he fell.Edb. 1795 H. MacNeill Will and Jean (1796) xxii.:
Up the gavel end thick spreading Crap the clasping Ivy green, Back owre, Firs the high craigs cleading Rais'd a' round a cozey screen.
4. prep. Over the back of.Mry.2, Abd.2 1932:
In a dwamin' fit he fell back-owre the chair.
