Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡TORR, n. Also tor(e). [tor]
1. Any ornamental projection, esp. one of the carved wooden knobs decorating the corners of old-fashioned cradles, chairs or beds (Abd.4 1928), the projecting tops of the side-posts of a box-cart (Dmf. 1957).Sc. 1826 Lamkin in Child Ballads (1956) II. 334:
A' the four tors o the cradle red blood sprang.
2. The bow or pommel of a saddle (Sc. 1808 Jam.); the horn of a side-saddle (Fif. 1869 J. C. Morton Cycl. Agric. II. 726).Abd. 1750 Abd. Journal (29 May):
The makers Name, Proctor, is stitch'd into one of the Tores.Sc. 1751 Session Papers, Petition J. Mitchell (12 Feb.) 2:
She was by them laid a-cross the Horse, on the Torr of the Saddle.Sc. 1828 Thomas o Yonderdale in Child Ballads No. 253 A. xxi.:
On the tor o her saddle A courtly bird did sweetly sing.Gall. 1832 J. Denniston Craignilder 68:
O'er Saddle tore the waters roar.
3. Transf. in comb. tore-bane, the prominence on the pelvic bone of a horse, cow or sheep (Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) T. 137; Ayr., sm.Sc. 1972).
[O.Sc. tor, a kind of pinnacle, 1501, = 1., of a cradle, 1560, pommel, 1562, ad. Gael. torr, conical hill, eminence, heap, torran, a knob.]
