Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MURR, v.1, n.1 Also mur; mør, morr (Jak.). Cf. Mirr. Also reduplic. myurr-myurr. [mʌr]
I. v. 1. To make a continuous vibrating, murmuring or purring sound (Cai. 1903 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Cai. 1963); of a cat: to purr, sometimes to growl (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sc. 1825 Jam.; Abd. 1963); of a baby: to crow or coo (Jam.); of running water or the sea: to make a murmuring sound. Vbl.n. murrin, the purring of a cat or cooing of a baby (Sc. 1880 Jam.).Slk. 1802 Hogg in Edb. Mag. (May) 369:
Sandy heard a noise like baudrons Murrin i' the bed at e'en.Ags. 1834 A. Smart Rambling Rhymes 126:
When ower the fire he murrin' sat, Ye never saw a statelier cat.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes li.:
Hearkenin' to the water, as it comes murrin', and souffin' and gurglin', on to me.Abd. 1873 J. Ogg Willie Waly 39:
Ay, pussie mur an' shak' yer tail.Abd. 1995 Flora Garry Collected Poems 18:
Fyles ye myurr-myurr to me ma leen,
Yer quaverin myowies thin an smaa, ...
2. To tingle, to itch.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Hit is murrin i' my airm.
II. n. 1. A purring, whirring, or murmuring sound, as made by a cat, a young baby, or the distant murmur of wind or sea (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ags. 1848 Feast of Liter. Crumbs (1891) 22:
Wi' distant murr ilk gust began — Gust met wi' gust in swirlin' bustle.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I could hear de murr o't.
2. A tingling, itching or prickling sensation in the body (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).
[Echoic.]
