▪ I. pur1 dial.
Also 8 purr.
[OE. in pur lamb, of uncertain origin.]
a. A ram or wether lamb; also pur-lamb, pur-hog. b. transf. A male child, a boy.
| c 1000 ælfric Exod. xii. 5 Nyme ælc mann an lamb..Þæt lamb sceal beon anwintre pur lamb clæne and unwemme. a 1722 Lisle Husb. Gloss., Pur-lamb, male lamb. 1787 Grose Provinc. Gloss. s.v., In Dorsetshire a purr signifies a boy, also a male lamb. 1817 W. Stevenson Agric. Dorset 411 Pur-lambs are sold to dealers, etc. from Somersetshire, and other districts, where breeding flocks are not so generally kept as in the upland parts of Dorsetshire. 1883 Standard 21 Apr. 5/8 The lambs..are nearly all purs. 1888 Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk., Pur, a male lamb... Seldom used in W. Som., but is the regular term in E. Som. and Dorset. Ram or wether is the common term in W.S. |
▪ II. † pur2, purr Cards. Obs.
[Origin unascertained.]
A name given to the knave or Jack in the game of post and pair (see post n.4). Also attrib. pur-chop, pur-dog, ? a card which would take the knave.
| 1592 Lyly Midas v. ii, Mine armes are all armarie, gules, sables, azure, or, vert, pur, post, pare, &c. 1616 B. Jonson Masque Christmas, Enter..Post and Pair, with a pair⁓royal of aces in his hat; his garments all done ouer with Pairs and Purs. Ibid., Post and Pair wants his pur-chops, and his pur dogs. a 1618 Davies Wittes Pilgr. Wks. 1878 II. 38/1 Some, hauing lost the double Pare and Post, Make their aduantage on the Purrs they haue: Whereby the Winners winnings all are lost, Although, at best the other's but a Knaue. |
▪ III. pur
obs. f. poor, porr, purr, purre.