Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1895, 1949
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GALORE, n., adv. Also gilore (Ags.19 1952), gulore (Knr.1, Bwk.3 1952), galyore (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Arg.3 1949), †gillore, †gelore, †golore, ¶gillour (Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 207).
Sc. n. usage: plenty, superabundance, of wealth or goods (Cai.7 (in Gael. districts), Abd., Per.3, Slg., w.Lth., Rnf., Ayr.8, Kcb.10 1953). Also by the galore, †in galore, and in pl. = heaps (Fif.14 1947; Ayr.8 1950, obsol.). Also in Eng. dial.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 47:
Gin she came well provided ay afore, This day, she fuish of best of cheer gilore.Ags. 1776 C. Keith Farmer's Ha' xxxiv.:
The gauger's scarcely frae the door, When beggars they come in gelore.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 76:
Poor Andrew, ta'en wi' Nelly's charms, Coft her gillore of raisins.Edb. 1821 W. Liddle Poems 146:
You'll see a birkie, at next door, Deseas'd wi' luxury and golore.Ags. 1833 J. Kennedy Geordie Chalmers 194:
By that time I had galore, a weel-stowed hoose an' claes o' a' dimensions, forby a trifle i' the bank.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan 251:
I have got the Innishowen and galores of bread and cheese ready, and all the neighbours are to join us.Mry. 1865 W. H. L. Tester Poems 168:
I wat we hae Saunts in galore, sirs.Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 93:
Did oo no hear galores aboot her afore when 'e brocht the hoose aboot our lugs?m.Lth.1 1949:
There's a big crap o' brummles the year, they're hingin by the galore.
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"Galore n., adv.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/galore>
