Dictionary entry

Bore

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Bore (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Bored (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Boring.] [OE. borien, AS. borian; akin to Icel. bora, Dan. bore, D. boren, OHG. por�n, G. bohren, L. forare, Gr. to plow, Zend bar. √91.] 1. To perforate or penetrate, as a solid body, by turning an auger, gimlet, drill, or other instrument; to make a round hole in or through; to pierce; as, to bore a plank.

I'll believe as soon this whole earth may be bored.

Shak.

2. To form or enlarge by means of a boring instrument or apparatus; as, 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, as with a centerbit, a cylindrical passage through the most solid wood.

T. W. Harris.

3. To make (a passage) by laborious effort, as in boring; as, to bore one's way through a crowd; to force a narrow and difficult passage through. “What bustling crowds I bored.” Gay.

4. To weary by tedious iteration or by dullness; to tire; to trouble; to vex; to annoy; to pester.

He bores me with some trick.

Shak.

Used to come and bore me at rare intervals.

Carlyle.

5. To befool; to trick.

I am abused, betrayed; I am laughed at, scorned,

Baffled and bored, it seems.

Beau. & Fl.