orra

American  

[awr-uh, or-uh] / ˈɔr ə, ˈɒr ə /

Or orrow

adjective

Scot.

1. not regular or scheduled; odd.

   orra work.

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orra British  

/ ˈɒrə /

adjective

1. odd or unmatched; supernumerary

2. occasional or miscellaneous

3. an odd-jobman

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Etymology

Origin of orra

First recorded in 1720–30; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

She's yours.—Death's a sair divorce.—Maybe they 'll hae an orra 3 fiddle whaur I'm gaein', though.

From Robert Falconer by MacDonald, George

This occurs in a lovely verse— "Mu'n cuairt do bhruachaibh ard mo glinn, Biodh luba gheuga 's orra blath, 's clann bheag' nam preas a' tabhairst seinn Do chreagaibh aosd oran graidh."

From The Divine Adventure Volume IV by Macleod, Fiona

Oh, Betty," says he glibly, weel kennin' that I didna gi'e in wi' orra readin' on the Lord's Day, "I've faun in wi' a splendid book the day.

From Betty Grier by Waugh, Joseph Laing

It was an orra and remarkable gathering, convened surely by the trickery of a fantastic and vagabond providence,—"not a great many, but well picked," as Mac-gregor the Mottled said of his band of thieves.

From John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn by Munro, Neil

The auld man had a girnin' wife, An' she was aye compleenin', For a' kin' o' orra things The body aye was greenin'.

From The Auld Doctor and other Poems and Songs in Scots by Rorie, David