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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.

MOORATOOG, n. Also moorra-, mur(r)a-, muri-, morra-, møra-, møri-; merra-; -tu(g), -too, -tow. An ant (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 149, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1963). [′murətug, ′mørətu(g)]Sh. 1900 Shetland News (28 July):
Merratoos! whaur deil ir dey come frae? Hit wiz merratoos 'at shü wis sitten among.
Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 153:
Dere wis wan livin screed o' mooratoogs.

[Norw. maurtue, -tuva, Du. myritue, an ant-hill, O.N. maurr, an ant, + þúfa, a mound. See Toog.]

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