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: 1733-1747, 1930-1951
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MOWRIE, n. Also mowry; mourie; maurin. [′mʌuri]
1. “Gravel mingled with sand in its natural stratum” (Mry. 1825 Jam., Mry.1 1925), shingle. Attrib. in comb. mourie stane, a gravel pebble.Mry. 1733 Session Papers, Earl of Moray v. Duke of Gordon (6 July 1775) 16:
When the river cast off the maurin, (that is, when the current cleared the alveus of gravel).Mry. 1747 W. Cramond Ch. Bellie (1896) 39:
James Reid and James Petrie . . . rebuked . . . for casting up mowry and ware from nine o'clock on Sabbath night.Mry.1 c.1930:
If we wis tae bile a curn mourie stanes wi milk in a pottie, the bree wad be gweed.
2. A gravelly sea-beach (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 115, Bnff. 1963).Bnff. 1951:
Lyin on the mowrie; washen up on the mowrie.
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"Mowrie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mowrie>
