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: 1947
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MURR, n.4 Also moor(s), and dim. forms murri(c)k, murrek (Jak.). [Sh. mur(ək), Ork., Cai. mur(z)]
1. The plant silver-weed, Potentilla anserina (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.; Ork. 1929 Marw.), and its edible root (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 149, murrick(s), 1908 Jak. (1928); Cai.9 1939; Sh. 1963).
2. Any edible root or tuber (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., murrick, 1914 Angus Gl., murrik, 1947 Sh. Folk Bk. (Tait) I. 86, Sh. 1963). Comb. swine's murriks, see quot.Sh. 1947 Sh. Folk Bk. (Tait) I. 84:
Murriks, murreks. Any edible root, bulb or rhizome.Sh. 1947 Sh. Folk Bk. (Tait) I. 86:
Swine's-murriks. (a) Vernal Squill, Scilla Verna. Probably the oldest application. (b) Tuberous Oatgrass. Arrhenatherum tuberosum. Most popular usage today. (c) Silverweed. Potentilla anserina. Now going out of use. (d) Marsh woundwort. Stachys palustris. Localised.
