The sun a malign bore at his temples

[shootingstar]

William has no memory of boarding the Birmingham to Camebridge later that day. He registers dashes of fields, fresh growth on the trees. The sun on his left burns through the glass and makes the dusty seat smell toasted. He didn't bring sunglasses, it's only March. The corner of a shirt is poking out of his suitcase. He doubts he can carry it to Martin's without the handle breaking, but has no cash for a taxi.
The walk to Jesus Lane tires him out, the sun a malign bore at his temples.

(From A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe, Part IV Midnight Choir, scene 50)

What does "malign bore" mean in this sentence. It can't mean "hole" in my opinion, but, maybe, it has a similar meaning, e.g. a "boring pain" etc.

 

[dunchee]

I think it means this:

Definition of BORE

to pierce with a turning or twisting movement of a tool; to make by boring or digging away material; to make a hole by or as if by boring… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

4 of 6 noun (2)
: a tidal flood with a high abrupt front
a dangerous bore at the mouth of the Amazon

 

[shootingstar]

Yes, thank you, but I'd prefer the nominalized definition (= gerund) of the verb "bore" you cited: "a malign boring" would be my option.

 

[emsr2d2]

I read it as "a malign thing that made him bored of it", nothing to do with holes. He was bored of the sun beating down on him and considers it malign.