Bor"row (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Borrowed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Borrowing.] [OE. borwen, AS. borgian, fr. borg, borh, pledge; akin to D. borg, G. borg; prob. fr. root of AS. beorgan to protect. 95. See 1st Borough.]

1.

To receive from another as a loan, with the implied or expressed intention of returning the identical article or its equivalent in kind; -- the opposite of lend.

2. Arith.

To take (one or more) from the next higher denomination in order to add it to the next lower; -- a term of subtraction when the figure of the subtrahend is larger than the corresponding one of the minuend.

3.

To copy or imitate; to adopt; as, to borrow the style, manner, or opinions of another.

Rites borrowed from the ancients. Macaulay.

It is not hard for any man, who hath a Bible in his hands, to borrow good words and holy sayings in abundance; but to make them his own is a work of grace only from above. Milton.

4.

To feign or counterfeit.

"Borrowed hair."

Spenser.

The borrowed majesty of England. Shak.

5.

To receive; to take; to derive.

Any drop thou borrowedst from thy mother. Shak.

To borrow trouble, to be needlessly troubled; to be overapprehensive.

 

© Webster 1913.


Bor"row, n.

1.

Something deposited as security; a pledge; a surety; a hostage.

[Obs.]

Ye may retain as borrows my two priests. Sir W. Scott.

2.

The act of borrowing.

[Obs.]

Of your royal presence I'll adventure The borrow of a week. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.