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noun
A strong, cold, dry north-east wind blowing in the upper Adriatic.
- ‘In the summer the bora blows as a local wind and then lasts only a few days.’
- ‘Finally, the bora has arrived (although the Triestines tell me it is still speeding up).’
- ‘After the Bora blows into town, there's always a story in the paper about someone getting hit with a flying roadsign or a flowerbox that was ripped from a windowsill.’
- ‘In winter bora blows more often, stronger and for longer periods (3-7 days), and it can even bring snow on the islands.’
- ‘Trieste is at its best in spring and autumn, away from the humid summer heat and the often severe winters, when the biting bora wind can blow so hard that makeshift rope handrails need to be strung along the steepest streets.’
Origin
Mid 19th century: dialect variant of Italian borea, from Latin boreas ‘north wind’ (see boreal).
Pronunciation
noun
An Australian Aboriginal rite in which boys are initiated into manhood.
- ‘The bora or initiation ceremony is said to be ‘like church.’’
- ‘The bora ground itself was identified by two circles that were drawn on the ground or were formed by rocks or pebbles.’
- ‘Enjoy a guided museum tour and walk through Ukerebagh Nature Reserve and bora ring learning about Aboriginal culture from the traditional owners.’
- ‘It is one of several initiation grounds in the Bellbrook area where different stages of the Bora ceremony took place.’
- ‘In the Bora ceremony body decoration and apparel were more elaborate.’
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Kamilaroi buuru.
