Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1881-1935
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BORIE, n.
1. A clear opening in the sky in wet weather. Cf. Bore, n.1 (4). [′bo:rɪ̢]ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore of N.-E. Scot. 154:
In wet weather, when a clcar opening — called in some districts (Keith) “a borie” — appears near the sun at sunset, it is looked upon as indicating a continuance of foul weather.Abd.(D) 1923 R. L. Cassie Heid or Hert viii.:
It wis a poorin' weet mornin'. There wusna the wee-est borie o' clearness i' the lift, an' ilka clood driven afore the waefu', soochin' win' leukit bigger an' blacker than its neeper.Abd.2 1935
2. A clearing, a passage.Bch. 1924 J. Wight in Scots Mag. (Sept.) 441:
I gat a borie redd throchan-throw [right through] tha gryte an' muckle vryethe [wreath].
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"Borie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/borie>
