Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mal(l)ure, Malheur(e, n. Also: mal(l)eur, -our(e; malhure, -hour(e. [e.m.E. maleure, maleheure (Caxton, 1471), OF. maleur (F. malheur).] a. A misfortune or disaster. b.Unfortunate or unpropitious circumstances.(a) a1568 Scott xvi. 3.
The mornyng and the grit mallure c1568 Lauder Minor P. ii. 2.
This warld is war nor euer it was, Full of myscheif, and all malure 1588 Conv. Burghs I. 286.
We haif thochtt it meittest, in respect of the malure of tyme, thatt he [the ambassador] suld return hamewartt 1591-2 Rob Stene 9.
My muse, allace! abhoris to tell The grit mallure that eftir fell 1618 Sc. Brigade in Holland (S.H.S. i. 32) I. 290.
That infortunat maleur whitche against my intentione … is fallin out in my hand c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 50.
His vnvillingnesse from the beginneing did presaige some malour towardes that interprysse Ib. 208.
But, O maloure, there began our miserie 1690 Acc. Persecution Ch. in Scotl. 65.
The episcopal clergy … had rather sit silent under their malleur than struggle(b) 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 142.
It will bring sum malhure Ib. 148.
My malhure c1590 J. Stewart II. 34/155.
Hir trublit toung outbirsts … agains the malheur of hir destineis 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 43.
The malheur of the tym 1594 Colville Lett. 108. 1627 Edinb. B. Rec. VII. 30.
Upone sum malhour it had pleased theme to dismiss him thair service c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 143.
So great a malhoure