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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DIRR, Durr, n., v.1 [dɪr Ork., Sh.; dʌr Rxb.]

1. n. A humming, buzzing sound (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), dirr; Rxb. 1942 Zai); “a sensation in the head suggestive of a continuous sullen sound” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Add., durr).Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poems II. 86:
Macguldroch heard this mighty dirr.

2. v. To vibrate, quiver (Jak.), tingle; gen. in ppl.adj. durrin', -an, quivering, buzzing, throbbing, and vbl.n. (Watson).Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
My fit dirrs, a phrase used in relation to the foot, when there is a stoppage of circulation.
Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Dirran mad.
Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Add.:
A durrin' pain.

[Orig. onomat. Cf. Norw. dirre, to quiver, vibrate, Sw. dial. durra, to buzz, hum.]

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