broch

[ Scots brokh, bruhkh ]

noun

1. a circular stone tower built around the beginning of the Christian era, having an inner and an outer wall, found on the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, the Hebrides, and the mainland of Scotland.

broch

/ brɒx; brɒk /

noun

1. (in Scotland) a circular dry-stone tower large enough to serve as a fortified home; they date from the Iron Age and are found esp in the north and the islands

Word History and Origins

Origin of broch¹

First recorded in 1645–55; Scots, metathetic variant of burgh

Word History and Origins

Origin of broch¹

C17: from Old Norse borg ; related to Old English burh settlement, burgh

Example Sentences

It occurs within the pentacle symbol engraved on a pebble from the Broch of Burrian, Orkney.

From Project Gutenberg

The hunter shouted out in his dream if there was any one in the broch, to let him in for the Holy One's sake.

From Project Gutenberg

She is not yet dressed and wears a tea-gown, loose, with many folds: vieux rose broch, salmon-coloured plush and old lace.

From Project Gutenberg

The Scottish broch-people, associated in tradition with the Picts, were notorious for their piratic habits.

From Project Gutenberg

Probably the many hut circles which surround this Broch are of later date and were formed from its ruins.

From Project Gutenberg