Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†BURRIO, BURRIOR, n. Also burrier. A hangman, an executioner.Sc. 1714 Cloud of Witnesses. Pref. xiv.:
To deliver them up to the hands of these burriors.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings ii i. s.3:
One of the Eight who were condemned should have his Life, if he would consent to become Burrier to the rest.Sc. 1830 Scott Demonology 324:
In respect the Devil, by God's permission, had made her associates, who were lights of the cause, to be their own burrioes.
