▪ I. † broch1 Obs. rare.
[ad. F. broc, also broche, large jug: see Littré.]
See quot.
| 1679 Blount Anc. Tenures 51 One iron Broch, which was a great Pot or Jug to carry Liquid things. |
▪ II. broch2, brogh, brough Archæol.
Forms: 7 brogh, 7–9 brugh, 8–9 brough, burg(h, 9 broch.
[n.e. Scottish, a. ON. borg (Da. borg) castle, stronghold (the ON. equivalent of OE. burh: see borough, burgh). (Broch is the spelling adopted by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Variously pronounced (brox, brʌx).)]
A structure of prehistoric times, examples of which are numerous in the Orkney and Shetland Isles, and adjacent mainland of Scotland, being a sort of round tower, having an outer and an inner wall of dry stone, the interstitial space containing little chambers for human habitation, while the open central area might be used for cattle.
| 1654 Blaeu's Atlas, Map of Orkney & Shetl., The ancient Brugh of Mousa. The Brugh of Byrsa. 1693 J. Wallace Description of Orkney 26 The many Houses and villages in this Countey which are called by the name of Brogh. 1701 Brand Descr. Orkney 18 (Jam.) These houses are also called Burghs. 1806 Neill Tour Orkney 80 (Jam.) We viewed the Pechts Brough, or little circular fort. 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. II. iii. iii. 101 A class of structures peculiar to Scotland, generally known as Brughs or Pictish towers. 1883 Academy 6 Oct. 235 These Brochs..are towers that somewhat remind us of lighthouses. |
▪ III. broch
obs. form of broach, brooch.