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: 1789-1843
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†MORSING, vbl.n. Also moshin(e), mozing, motion. The priming of a gun. In combs.: 1. moshin hole, motion-, the touch hole of a gun (Sc. 1808 Sawers); 2. morsing horn, a powder horn; 3. morsing powder, priming powder (Sc. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-Bk. 485).1. Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 26:
He ships the carabine — The motion hole Frae rust unspik'd.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 350:
Pike the moshin-hole . . . means, to clean out the touch-hole.Edb. 1828 D. Moir Mansie Wauch xii.:
The piker for clearing the motion-hole.Ayr. a.1843 J. Stirrat Poems (1869) 32:
Tho' I had stapp't a burning coal, In loaded cannon's mozing hole.2. Sc. 1805 Scott Last Minstrel iv. xviii.:
Buff-coats, all frounced and broider'd o'er, And morsing-horns and scarfs they wore.
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"Morsing vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/morsing>
