Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.
Proto-Germanic *burōną
Proto-West Germanic *borōn
Old English borian
Middle English boren
English bore
From Middle English boren, from Old English borian (“to pierce”), from Proto-West Germanic *borōn, from Proto-Germanic *burōną.
Compare Danish bore, Norwegian Bokmål bore, Dutch boren, German bohren, Old Norse bora. Cognate with Latin forō (“to bore, to pierce”), Latin feriō (“strike, cut”) and Albanian birë (“hole”). Sense of wearying may come from a figurative use such as "to bore the ears"; compare German drillen.
Meanings
A hole drilled, bored, or milled through something.
the bores of wind-instruments 1631, Francis [Bacon], “II. Century.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], 3rd edition, London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 53:
the bore of a cannon
(Australia) A borehole sunk into an artesian basin to provide a source of water.
The diameter of such a hole.
(especially) The diameter of such a hole. ▸ The diameter of a cylinder in a piston engine or compressor.
The bore times the stroke times the number of cylinders equals displacement.
The tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired, or (by extension) its diameter.
A tool, such as an auger, for making a hole by boring.
A capped well drilled to tap artesian water.
A capped well drilled to tap artesian water. ▸ The place where such a well exists.
One who inspires boredom or lack of interest; an uninteresting person.
My neighbour is such a bore when he talks about his coin collection.
Something dull or uninteresting.
What a bore that movie was! There was no action, and the dialogue was totally uncreative.
It is as great a bore as to hear a poet read his own verses. 1871, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Passages from the French and Italian Notebooks:
For having submitted my ears to Acutilius for several days (and I think you know his style), I should scarcely have regarded it as a hardship to write you a letter describing his grumblings after patiently enduring the bore (and it was rather a bore, I can tell you) of hearing them. 1920, Cicero, translated by Evelyn Shirley Shuckburgh, The Letters of Cicero: The Whole Extant Correspondence in Chronological Order, volume 1 (hardcover), London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., page 2:
Calibre; importance.
Yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter. c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vi]:
mi ngutu kotete (one who inspires boredom) · fa پرگو (one who inspires boredom) · it calibro (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · es plomo (one who inspires boredom) · de Bohrung (a hole drilled or milled through something) · yi נודניק (one who inspires boredom) · mi wiri (a tool for making a hole) · es plasta (one who inspires boredom) · sv torrboll (one who inspires boredom) · he טַרְחָן (one who inspires boredom) · hu fúrt lyuk (a hole drilled or milled through something) · cmn 膛 (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · nl boring (a hole drilled or milled through something) · sl izvrtina (a hole drilled or milled through something) · it trapano (a tool for making a hole) · es palizas (one who inspires boredom) · de Langweiler (one who inspires boredom) · ru канал (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · mk бу́ргија (a tool for making a hole) · ga cró gunna (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · hu furat (a hole drilled or milled through something) · bg калибър (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · ga leadránaí (one who inspires boredom) · fi piippu (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · hu torok (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · bg отвор (a hole drilled or milled through something) · sh дoсадњаковић (one who inspires boredom) · it saetta (a tool for making a hole) · mk кали́бар (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · fi porauslaite (a tool for making a hole) · es petardo (one who inspires boredom) · pt calibre (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · es pelmazo (one who inspires boredom) · uk отвір (a hole drilled or milled through something) · mk во́шка (one who inspires boredom) · hu fúrólyuk (a hole drilled or milled through something) · hu fúrólyukátmérő (a hole drilled or milled through something) · sv tråkmåns (one who inspires boredom) · ru скважина (a hole drilled or milled through something) · es pesado (one who inspires boredom) · it pedante (one who inspires boredom) · ga cró (a hole drilled or milled through something) · ru зану́да (one who inspires boredom) · ru калибр (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · mk ду́пка (a hole drilled or milled through something) · bg бургия (a tool for making a hole) · es pestiño (one who inspires boredom) · pl nudziarz (one who inspires boredom) · hu torkolat (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · fi tylsä (one who inspires boredom) · it foro (a hole drilled or milled through something) · pt cano (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · ru отве́рстие (a hole drilled or milled through something) · bg дупка (a hole drilled or milled through something) · es sosaina (one who inspires boredom) · es ánima (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · sh dosadnjaković (one who inspires boredom) · it punta (a tool for making a hole) · bg вътрешен диаметър (a hole drilled or milled through something) · es muermo (one who inspires boredom) · ota تلوه (one who inspires boredom) · nrf embête (one who inspires boredom) · mk о́твор (a hole drilled or milled through something) · hu csőfurat (a hole drilled or milled through something) · mk це́вка (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · mk да́веж (one who inspires boredom) · fi porausreikä (a hole drilled or milled through something) · bg досаден човек (one who inspires boredom) · hu ágyútorok (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · hu kaliber (a hole drilled or milled through something) · hu unalmas dolog/ember (one who inspires boredom) · sl dolgočasnež (one who inspires boredom) · gv towl (a hole drilled or milled through something) · bg цев (the tunnel inside of a gun's barrel through which the bullet travels when fired) · it logorroico (one who inspires boredom)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰerH-der.
Proto-Germanic *burōną
Proto-West Germanic *borōn
Old English borian
Middle English boren
English bore
From Middle English boren, from Old English borian (“to pierce”), from Proto-West Germanic *borōn, from Proto-Germanic *burōną.
Compare Danish bore, Norwegian Bokmål bore, Dutch boren, German bohren, Old Norse bora. Cognate with Latin forō (“to bore, to pierce”), Latin feriō (“strike, cut”) and Albanian birë (“hole”). Sense of wearying may come from a figurative use such as "to bore the ears"; compare German drillen.
Meanings
(transitive) To inspire boredom in somebody.
[…] used to come and bore me at rare intervals. 1881, Thomas Carlyle, Reminiscences:
to bore someone to death
He bores me with some trick. 1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 206:
Reading books really bores me; films are much more exciting.
(transitive) To make a hole through something.
I'll believe as soon this whole earth may be bored. c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
On June 8, 1872, the London & North Western Railway obtained powers to quadruple its main line, and a new tunnel was bored for the up and down slow lines. 1950 September, “Network News: Watford Tunnel, L.M.R.”, in Railway Magazine, page 641:
(intransitive) To make a hole with, or as if with, a boring instrument; to cut a circular hole by the rotary motion of a tool.
An insect bores into a tree.
‘You give me twelve bob a foot, an’ I’ll bloomin’ quick show you whether I can bore or not.’ 1911, ‘Steel Rudd’, The Book of Dan, Brisbane: University of Queensland Press, published 1970, page 1:
to bore for water or oil
(transitive) To form or enlarge (something) by means of a boring instrument or apparatus.
to bore a steam cylinder or a gun barrel; to bore a hole
short but very powerful jaws, by means whereof the insect can bore […] a cylindrical passage through the most solid wood 1862, Thaddeus William Harris, A Treatise on Some of the Insects Injurious to Vegetation:
(transitive) To make (a passage) by laborious effort, as in boring; to force a narrow and difficult passage through.
What bustling crowds I bored. [1716], [John] Gay, “Book III. Of Walking the Streets by Night.”, in Trivia: Or, The Art of Walking the Streets of London, London: […] Bernard Lintott, […], →OCLC, page 79:
to bore one’s way through a crowd
(intransitive) To be pierced or penetrated by an instrument that cuts as it turns.
This timber does not bore well.
(intransitive) To glare (as if to drill a hole with the eyes).
Their eyes bore into my back.
(slang, transitive) To push or drive (a boxer into the ropes, a boat out of its course, etc.).
Hanlan, it seems, led at about a mile, when Beach's steamer bored him, and to avoid the danger of being swamped, he put on a violent spurt and drew well clear of Beach, getting some lengths lead. 1885, Tresham Gilbey, Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume 43, page 107:
The right hand of Curtis was open too much ; but he nevertheless had the best of the hitting in this round, till Inglis bored him down, out of the ropes. 1824, Pierce Egan, Boxiana; Or, Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism, page 600:
(intransitive) To push forward in a certain direction with laborious effort.
They take their flight […] boring to the west. 1697, Virgil, “The Third Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
bored (to inspire boredom) · boring (to inspire boredom) · boredom (to inspire boredom) · borer (to make a hole)
Translations (138)
fo bora (to make a hole) · he שִׁעֲמֵם (to inspire boredom) · qu hut'kuy (to make a hole) · tr burgulamak (to make a hole) · mk до́дева (to inspire boredom) · sh búšiti (to make a hole) · bg пробивам (to make a hole) · bg додявам (to inspire boredom) · it annoiare (to inspire boredom) · ca enfastidir (to inspire boredom) · uk набридати (to inspire boredom) · ar أَمَلَّ (to inspire boredom) · ca barrinar (to make a hole) · ru надоеда́ть (to inspire boredom) · gl furar (to make a hole) · ro găuri (to make a hole) · fo keða (to inspire boredom) · te తొలుచు (to make a hole) · gl abagoirar (to inspire boredom) · vi đục (to make a hole) · hu untat (to inspire boredom) · es aburrir (to inspire boredom) · pl borować (to make a hole) · bg отекчавам (to inspire boredom) · sq shpo (to make a hole) · grc τετραίνω (to make a hole) · ca perforar (to make a hole) · sk vŕtať (to make a hole) · bg омръзвам (to inspire boredom) · is bora (to make a hole) · eu aspertu (to inspire boredom) · it scavare (to make a hole) · gl fartar (to inspire boredom) · nb kjede (to inspire boredom) · no bore (to make a hole) · gl esburacar (to make a hole) · gl anoxar (to inspire boredom) · fr ennuyer (to inspire boredom) · hu kiváj (to make a hole) · sk prevŕtať (to make a hole) · sh dosáditi (to inspire boredom) · pl znużyć (to inspire boredom) · cs vrtat (to make a hole) · ru бура́вить (to make a hole) · grc τρυπάω (to make a hole) · mk здо́дева (to inspire boredom) · fi tylsistyttää (to inspire boredom) · fi porata (to make a hole) · qu t'uquy (to make a hole) · sh svrdlati (to make a hole) · pl znudzić (to inspire boredom) · da bore (to make a hole) · mi whakahōhā (to inspire boredom) · sh доса́дити (to inspire boredom) · mi ore (to make a hole) · uk бурити (to make a hole) · it tediare (to inspire boredom) · vi khoan (to make a hole) · vi khoét (to make a hole) · la terebrō (to make a hole) · eo malamuzi (to inspire boredom) · pt chatear (to inspire boredom) · pt entediar (to inspire boredom) · hu fúr (to make a hole) · km រំខានចិត្ត (to inspire boredom) · th เจาะ (to make a hole) · sh сврдлати (to make a hole) · ca foradar (to make a hole) · cmn 煩擾 /烦扰 (to inspire boredom) · fr percer (to make a hole) · izh purata (to make a hole) · de bohren (to make a hole) · ro plictisi (to inspire boredom) · fi tehdä tylsäksi (to inspire boredom) · crh teşmek (to make a hole) · nn keia (to inspire boredom) · ca avorrir (to inspire boredom) · mi oreore (to make a hole) · ru наску́чивать (to inspire boredom) · de langweilen (to inspire boredom) · es agujerear (to make a hole) · fa سفتن (to make a hole) · km បន្ទ្រាន់ (to inspire boredom) · hu kifúr (to make a hole) · sk nudiť (to inspire boredom) · bg дупча (to make a hole) · ota بورغولامق (to make a hole) · gsw aaööde (to inspire boredom) · mi poka (to make a hole) · nl vervelen (to inspire boredom) · sh dodijati (to inspire boredom) · uk свердлити (to make a hole) · pl nużyć (to inspire boredom) · sh досађи́вати (to inspire boredom) · tyz bón (to make a hole) · sv tråka ut (to inspire boredom) · gl tradar (to make a hole) · ur بور (to inspire boredom) · io enoyigar (to inspire boredom) · eo enuigi (to inspire boredom) · da kede (to inspire boredom) · eo bori (to make a hole) · tyz boóng (to make a hole) · sh dosađívati (to inspire boredom) · cs nudit (to inspire boredom) · fr barber (to inspire boredom) · pl wiercić (to make a hole) · es horadar (to make a hole) · bg досаждам (to inspire boredom) · gl aburrir (to inspire boredom) · ru наску́чить (to inspire boredom) · es perforar (to make a hole) · pl świdrować (to make a hole) · pl nudzić (to inspire boredom) · sk vyvŕtať (to make a hole) · sk zavŕtať (to make a hole) · th ไช (to make a hole) · mk ду́пчи (to make a hole) · gl aburacar (to make a hole) · cs vyvrtat (to make a hole) · gl buratar (to make a hole) · sw -dunga (to make a hole) · ar ثقب (to make a hole) · sh додијати (to inspire boredom) · ru надое́сть (to inspire boredom) · sh бу́шити (to make a hole) · eo tedi (to inspire boredom) · pt aborrecer (to inspire boredom) · ceb sumhan (to inspire boredom) · ru сверли́ть (to make a hole) · sl dolgočasiti (to inspire boredom) · pt cavar (to make a hole) · ja いらいらさせる (to inspire boredom) · sv borra (to make a hole) · sl vrtati (to make a hole) · nl boren (to make a hole) · it alesare (to make a hole) · ga toll (to make a hole)
From Middle English *bore, bare, a borrowing from Old Norse bára (“billow, wave”), from Proto-Germanic *bērō (“that which bears or carries”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to bear”). Cognate with Icelandic bára (“billow, wave”), Faroese bára (“billow, wave”). Doublet of bier.
Meanings
A sudden and rapid flow of tide occurring in certain rivers and estuaries which rolls up as a wave.
In another moment a huge wave, like a muddy tidal bore, but almost scaldingly hot, came sweeping round the bend up-stream. 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 102:
mi rōrea (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · ca rissaga (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · fi vuoksiaalto (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · hu dagályhullám (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · ga maidhm rabharta (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · fi vuorovesiaalto (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · ga maidhm thaoide (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · ja 海嘯 (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · fi vuorovesiporras (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · de Gezeitenwelle (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · fr mascaret (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · it ondata anomala (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · hu (folyam)torkolati szökőár (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · it flusso anomalo (sudden and rapid flow of tide) · oc mascaret (sudden and rapid flow of tide)
Q. When the Fireſhip appeared to be going down towards the Real, do you think that the Dorſetſhire could have bore down in Time, to have covered and aſſiſted her? 1746, Charles Fearne, Minutes of the proceedings of a court-martial, aſſembled […] , London, page 159:
[…] by altering their course a very little, and easily have bore down abreast of our settlement, without incurring the smallest risk! 1834, Augustus Earle, A Narrative of a Nine Months' Residence in New Zealand in 1827 […] , pages 345–346:
The end of the 20th century and the start of the new millennium have bore witness to a remarkable revolution in the way parasite/host biological interactions can be conceptually designed and experimentally studied. 2006 February 10, Karl F. Hoffman, Jennifer M. Fitzpatrick, “The Application of DNA Microarrays in the Functional Study of Schisostome/Host Biology”, in W. Evan Secor, Daniel G. Colley, editors, Schistosomiasis, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 101: