▪ I. curr, v.
(kɜː(r), kʌrr)
[Echoic: cf. Da. kurren to coo, to whirr, and the verbs mentioned under cur.]
To make a low murmuring sound, like the cooing of a dove or purring of a cat. Hence ˈcurring vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1677 N. Cox Gent. Recreat. iii. 57 When you have so tamed them [Nightingales] that they begin to Cur and Sweet with chearfulness, and record softly to themselves. a 1693 Urquhart Rabelais iii. xiii. 107 The..curring of Pigeons..curkling of Quails. 1798 Wordsw. Idiot Boy xxi, The owlets hoot, the owlets curr. 1855 G. Donald in Whistle-binkie (1890) II. 87 Cheetie, Cheetie pussie..by fireside curring, Sang contented purring. 1860 Thomas in Zoologist X. 3651 [The note of the fern-owl] resembled..the whirring, rapid rotation of a wheel..the sounds intermixed with curring and croaking notes. |
▪ II. curr, n.
[Echoic: cf. prec.]
A curring sound.
| 1867 Blackw. Mag. Feb. 148 They'll send the stanes spinnin Wi a whirr and a curr till they sit round the tee. |