Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1822-1910
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WHIRR, v., n. Also Sc. forms whir, whur(r); wirr. Sc. usages. [ʍɪr, ʍʌr]
I. v. 1. To throw, strike, or dash suddenly (Cld. 1880 Jam.). Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.
2. As in Eng., to fly with a flurry of wings, esp. of a game-bird. Hence whur-cocks, an excl. made by shooters and beaters to startle game birds (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 478) and whircock, applied to the bird itself, a grouse or the like.sm.Sc. 1822 R. M'Chronicle Legends Scot. I. 81:
To shoot some o' the whircocks that sit doon by at the Kirtle side.
3. To purr, as a cat (Ork. 1974).Edb. 1856 J. Ballantine Poems 6:
At your feet wi' kindly yowl Whurrs your wee catty.
4. To use a strongly 'burred' or a uvular 'r'[ʀ] in one's speech (Lnk., Wgt. 1974).Dmf. 1873 A. Anderson Song of Labour 124:
For he whurr'd, an' the "r's" in his throat wad dispute.
II. n. 1. Commotion, rush, hurrying about (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 210, Bnff. 1974). Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1910 L. M. Watt Poet's Corner 144:
Gude hae a mercy! siccan a life! Never a rest frae whirr and worrit.
2. In phr. to play whir, to spin, to whizz. Cf. whirlie s.v. Whirl, n., 1. (3).Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail xxvii.:
The whole tot o' the siller played whir to the very middle o' the Clyde.Sc. 1829 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 266:
Like a swarm o' bees playin whurr into the countless sky.
3. A sharp blow (Ayr.4 1928).
4. A "burr" in speech, the use of the uvular "r" (Lnk., Ayr., sm.Sc. 1974). See I. 4.
