BORE-TREE, s. Sambucus nigra.
V. [Bourtree].
BOREAU, s. An executioner.
V. [Burio].
BORGH, s. A surety.
V. [Borch].
BORN.
Wallace.
Born may have some affinity to Isl. borgun, Su. G. borgen, suretyship; q. one under contract or obligation.
BORROWING DAYS, the three last days of March, Old Stile, S.
Complaynt S.
These days being generally stormy, our forefathers have endeavoured to account for this circumstance, by pretending that March borrowed them from April, that he might extend his power so much longer. Those who are much addicted to superstition will neither borrow nor lend on any of these days; lest the articles borrowed should be employed for the purposes of witchcraft, against the lenders. Some of the vulgar imagine, that these days received their designation from the conduct of the Israelites in borrowing the property of the Egyptians.
BOS, BOSS, BOIS, adj.
1. Hollow, S.
Douglas.
"A boss sound," that which is emitted by a body that is hollow, S.
2. Empty. A shell, without a kernel, is said to be boss. The word is also used to denote the state of the stomach when it is empty, or after long abstinence, S.
Morison.
3. In the same sense, it is metaph. applied to a weak or ignorant person. One is said to be "nae boss man," who has a considerable share of understanding, S. B.
Ramsay.
4. Poor, destitute of worldly substance, S. B.
Teut. bosse, umbo.
Ross.