Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1703, 1774-1837, 1925
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DECORE, v. To decorate, to adorn. Obs. or arch. in Eng. [də′ko:r]Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xiv.:
Great was the glory of the serving-man, as he decored the great old oaken table with a clean cloth.Sc. c.1925 R. Thomas Sandie McWhustler's Waddin' xiii.:
What a day! The hale toon was decored, ye wad hae thocht the king himsel was gaun tae gie's a ca' on his wey tae the Hielans.Ags. 1774 C. Keith in Weekly Mag. (8 Dec.) 338:
Ye're wondrous spruce, And might decore the benmost nook In ony house.Gsw. 1703 Rec. Burgh Gsw. (ed. Marwick 1908) 365:
Their buildings had no wayes prejudged but decored the place.
Hence decorement, decorament, adorning; an ornament, decoration. Obs. in Eng. since early 18th cent.Sc. 1826 Scott Journal (1890) I. 162:
24 March: It is foolish to encourage people to expect . . . such-like decoraments.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 53:
A neat wee basket it was, with a high handle over the top, white net curtains drawn all around, and a wreath of flowers for a decorement.wm.Sc. 1835–37 Laird of Logan I. 273:
Wha were necessarily employed in the decorement and garnishing furth of them that bocht the tickets.
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"Decore v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/decore>
