Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Borrow

1. To receive from another as a loan, with the implied or expressed intention of returning the identical article or its equivalent in kind; the opposite of lend.

2. (Science: mathematics) to take (one or more) from the next higher denomination in order to add it to the next lower; a term of subtraction when the figure of the subtrahend is larger than the corresponding one of the minuend.

3. To copy or imitate; to adopt; as, to borrow the style, manner, or opinions of another. Rites borrowed from the ancients. (Macaulay) It is not hard for any man, who hath a bible in his hands, to borrow good words and holy sayings in abundance; but to make them his own is a work of grace only from above. (Milton)

4. To feign or counterfeit. Borrowed hair. The borrowed majesty of England. (Shak)

5. To receive; to take; to derive. Any drop thou borrowedst from thy mother. (Shak) to borrow trouble, to be needlessly troubled; to be overapprehensive.

Origin: oe. Borwen, as. Borgian, fr. Borg, borh, pledge; akin to D. Borg, g. Borg; prob. Fr. Root of as. Beorgan to protect. 95. See 1st Borough.