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: 1708
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BORRA, BORRY, Borrow, n. “A barrow” (Mry.1 1925; Fif.1 1935, borry). A Sc. pronunciation of Eng. barrow. [′bɔrə, ′bɔrɪ̢]
Combs.: (1) box-borra, “a wheel-barrow with wooden sides” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.); (2) borrow man, a barrow-man.Lnk. 1708 Minutes J.P.'s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 19:
A borrow man is to have six shilling, without meat or drink, and three shilling, with meat and drink.
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"Borra n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/borra>
