- skip - Brewer’s

Tagʹhairm (2 syl.)

.

A means employed by the Scotch in inquiring into futurity. A person wrapped up in the hide of a fresh-slain bullock was placed beside a waterfall, or at the foot of a precipice, and there left to meditate on the question propounded. Whatever his fancy suggested to him in this wild situation passed for the inspiration of his disembodied spirit.

1


Last evening-tide

Brian an augury hath tried,

Of that kind which must not be

Unless in dread extremity,

The Taghairm called.”


Sir Walter Scott: Lady of the Lake, iv. 4.

 

previous entry · index · next entry

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

previous entry · index · next entry

Taborites
Tabouret
Tabulæ Toletanæ
Tace
Tachebrune
Tænia Rationis
Taë-pings
Taffata or Taffety
Taffy
Tag Rag, and Bobtail
Taghairm
Taherites
Tail
Tails
Tails
Tailors
Tailor’s Sword (A), or A Tailor’s Dagger
Take a Back Seat (To)
Take a Hair of the Dog that Bit You
Take in Tow (To)
Take Mourning (To)