Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun See borel, borel.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective obsolete Ignorant, unlearned; belonging to the laity.
  • noun obsolete Coarse woolen cloth; hence, coarse clothing; a garment.
  • noun A kind of light stuff, of silk and wool.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word borrel.

Examples

  • Besides inspiring content from speakers, Mobile Monday Amsterdam provides an occasion to meet the people in the industry during the 'borrel' afterwards. "

    Mobile Cowboys 2009

  • But what would the burning of a borrel ignorant burgess like me serve?

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • Steenie, ‘and tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge of than a borrel man like me.’

    Redgauntlet 2008

  • I question much if Catharine ever has such a moment to glance on earth and its inhabitants as might lead her to listen to a coarse ignorant borrel man like me.

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • “I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery, ” said Steenie, “and tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge of than a borrel man like me.

    Wandering Willie’s Tale 1921

  • “I intend to debate mysell to the Presbytery, ” said Steenie, “and tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge of than a borrel man like me.

    Wandering Willie’s Tale 1907

  • "I intend to debate mysell to the Presbytery," said Steenie, "and tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge of than a borrel man like me."

    Stories by English Authors: Scotland (Selected by Scribners) Various 1878

  • I question much if Catharine ever has such a moment to glance on earth and its inhabitants as might lead her to listen to a coarse ignorant borrel man like me.

    The Fair Maid of Perth St. Valentine's Day Walter Scott 1801

  • But what would the burning of a borrel ignorant burgess like me serve?

    The Fair Maid of Perth St. Valentine's Day Walter Scott 1801

  • 'I intend to delate mysell to the Presbytery,' said Steenie, 'and tell them all I have seen last night, whilk are things fitter for them to judge of than a borrel man like me.'

    Redgauntlet Walter Scott 1801

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • "'Are you sure it is enough?' asked Jack. 'I am not one of your light-weights, you know, not one of your borrel shrimps; and it is a very small pill.'"

    --Patrick O'Brian, The Nutmeg of Consolation, 270–271

    March 9, 2008

  • To set a tone lofty and moral

    Some leaders eschew petty quarrel.

    The goblin by contrast

    Loves insult and bombast.

    He’s hopelessly clumsy and borrel.

    December 9, 2018