† baˈlow, baˈloo, int. and n. Obs.
[Apparently a nursery utterance, and probably without derivation: it varied with balililow, and baw lu la law. According to Jamieson ‘supposed to be part of an old Fr. lullaby, Bas le loup!, or bas, là le loup!’ (down! there the wolf), but this is a mere conjecture without any known historical basis.]
A. int. An utterance used in lulling to sleep.
| a 1724 Lady A. Bothwell's Lament in Tea-t. Misc. (1733) II. 130 Balow my boy, ly still and sleep. It grieves me sore to hear thee weep. |
B. n. a. A lullaby. b. A song and tune containing this word.
| 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Knt. of Burning Pestle ii. (Boucher) You musicians play Baloo. 1619 Z. Boyd L. Battell 308 (Jam.) Lulled with Sathan's ‘balowes.’ 1794 Ritson Scot. Songs, Ess. 109 (Jam.) The editor..pretends that..there are two ‘balowes,’ as they are stiled, the first, ‘The balow Allan,’ the second ‘Palmer's Balow’..commonly called Lady Bothwell's Lament. |