v. Sc. Also 6 soirn. [f. SORREN.]
† 1. trans. To trouble or harass by exacting free quarters and maintenance; to live upon. Obs.
1563. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 248. The Clangregour … birnis and slayis the pouer liegis of this realme,… takis thair gudis, sornis and oppressis thame. Ibid. (1563–4), 271. That … nane of thame sould sorne or oppres our Soverane Ladiis liegis dwelland within the boundis of Stratherne. Ibid. (1588–9), IV. 342. Eftir thay had soirned, wracked, and spoilled the saidis haill Illis, thay … rased fyre.
2. intr. To take up free quarters or exact maintenance unjustifiably; to sponge upon others for food or lodging.
c. 1575. Balfour’s Practicks (1754), 24. That na persounis heirefter Iudge nor sorne in housis or granges pertening to religious or ecclesiasticall men.
1638. H. Adamson, Muses Threnodie (1774), I. 96. The Baliol proud, With English forces…, arrived at Kinghorne, And through the country mightily did sorne.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., III. iv. He gangs about sornan frae place to place.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 385. Why send the person … to corrupt, to pilfer and sorn upon your neighbours?
1816. Scott, Old Mort., vi. You pretend to gie entertainments, that canna come by a dinner except by sorning on a carefu’ man like me?
1876. J. Eadie, Thessalonians (1877), 314. The idlers … had no right to ‘sorn’ on their friends or burden the funds of the church.
