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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MAR, n.2 Also maar. The open sea, the ocean (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1962); the deep-sea fishing grounds (Id.); the sea-bottom, the ocean floor (Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 120, Sh. 1962).

Combs. and Phr.: 1. mar-bank, “a bank or slope in the sea-bottom close to the land, forming the border between shoal and deep water” (Jak., Sh. 1962); 2. mardroo, the sea lace, Chorda filum (Ork. 1929 Marw.). See also Drew, n.; 3. marfloo, -flu, one of the tiny flea-like crustaceans of the family Orchestidae (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., ‡Sh. 1962); 4. †marjub, the deep sea (Sh. 1814 Irvine MSS.). See Jube; 5. to lay de mar, to lay the fishing lines on the deep-sea fishing grounds (Jak., Sh. 1962).(5) Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Will de boats lay de mar de night?

[O.N. marr, Norw. mar, the sea, ocean. The second element in marfloo is O.N. fló, a flea.]

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