A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1520-1535, 1622-1639
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Sour, Sowre, v. [ME and e.m.E. soure (14th c.), sowr (Wyclif); Sour(e adj.] tr. To cause to become sour. — c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xiii 33.
The kingdom of heuenis is like to sourdauche quhilk a woman tuke and hid in thre mesuris of meile till it war all sourit [P. sowrid] 1622 Scot Course of Conformity 109.
A little leavin sowreth the whole lump 1639 Fugitive Poetry II xvi 4.
A little leaven in schort space, Leavens whole, and sowres the taste
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"Sour v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/sour>
