arch. [app. related to blow, blast; but the form does not seem capable of etymological explanation; perhaps it is partly onomatopæic (an ‘expressive word,’ Johnson). The last quot. is of course an echo of Chapman, who was exceedingly addicted to the word.]
A violent blowing, a blast or gust; also fig. stormy breath, bluster.
c. 1440. York Myst., xxvi. 188. Byde me here bewchere Or more blore be blowen.
1559. Mirr. Mag., 838. Hurried head-long with the south-west blore.
1598. Chapman, Iliad, IX. 5. The west wind and the north … join in a sudden blore. Ibid. (1616), Musæus, 306. Take heed that no ungentle blore The torch extinguish.
1755. Johnson, Blore, act of blowing; blast; an expressive word, but not used.
1872. Blackie, Lays Highl., 9. A cloud came darkling From the west with gusty blore.
b. transf. The air. [L. aura.]
c. 1614. Chapman, Odyss., IV. 1138. She, through the key-hole of the door, Vanish’d again into the open blore.
