Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1789-1833, 1892-1913
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MASSYMORE, n. Also massinmore; masmore. The dungeon of a castle, poss. originally the name of the dungeon at Crichton Castle in Midlothian, popularised by Scott.m.Lth. 1789 F. Grose Antiq. Scot. 53:
The dungeon [at Crichton Castle] called the Mas-More is a deep hole, with a narrow mouth.Sc. 1802 Scott Marmion iv. xi.:
Crichtoun! . . . still may we explore . . . Where oft whilom were captives pent, The darkness of thy Massy More.Sc. 1827 Motherwell Minstrelsy xv. intro.:
In the moor's castle there was a massymore, which is a dark deep dungeon.Sc. 1833 R. Chambers Minor Antiq. 209:
Perhaps, at a time when to be rich was neither so common nor so safe as now, Provost Edward might conceal his hoards in this massy more.w.Lth. 1892 R. Steuart Legends 11:
Some of the captured Whigs being in the massymore beneath the oak banqueting table at which the guests sit.Ayr. 1913 “Kissock” Sc. Poems 24:
I sune was laid Deep in the massinmore.
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"Massymore n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/massymore>
