Durren

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Used in Scots dialect to mean to venture or have the courage to do something risky or bold
2. A dialect verb meaning to have the nerve or boldness to attempt something daring
3. Expressing in Scottish speech the act of daring to face or undertake a challenge

Etymology: Before "dare" became the standard English verb, Old English had "durran," and the north of Britain kept a close descendant of it. "Durren" is the Scots and northern English form, still heard in dialect speech, meaning to have the nerve to attempt something risky. The verb belongs to a small group of Old English verbs whose present tense behaves like a past tense, which explains some of its odd grammar. Its relatives in Dutch and German show the same root: Dutch "durven" means to dare, while German "dürfen" means to be allowed to, a sense that moved from courage toward permission. Middle English had both "durren" and "dare," and standard English eventually kept "dare" while the older form survived in regional speech.

Synonyms: dare, venture