Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1763-1804
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MAUGRE, adj. Appar. an irreg. variant of Eng. meagre, maigre, lean, starved-looking.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 107:
Says, "Cease, you whimsy rattlin scull, Ye canna want it! maugre snool To imitate a parrot."
Hence maugre days, maigre days, i.e. days when abstinence from flesh was enjoined, orig. by the Roman Church.Abd. 1763 in R. S. Rait Univ. Aberdeen 206:
That on the maugre days the Oeconomist endeavour to introduce as much variety of vegetable diet as he can.
