Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Upbreking, -braking, -breaking, vbl. n. [e.m.E. vpbreakyng (1578); Brek v. 4.]

1. The action of breaking into, forcing open (a container, house, etc.). b. Opening (a packet). c. Deflowering (a woman). 1493 Acta Aud. 171/1.
For the vpbreking [Cramond Cullen Annals 10, upbreaking] of the said Johnnis compt burdis 1541–2 Treas. Acc. VIII 66.
To underlye the law for upbreking of the kist of Murray 1643 Justiciary Cases III 561.
Eftir the dait of the violent upbreking of the housb. c1650 Spalding I 244.
For vpbraking thairof [sc. a packet]c. 1625 Lanark Presb. 4.
James Lawrie … compleins upone James Carmichell … that his daughter Helein Lawrie being proclamit upon John Mackwat … he hes sclanderit hir in saying he behovit to have twentie hogges for the vpbreking of hir

2. An instance of breaking off (a communication), an interruption. 1659 Douglas Corr. 268.
I doe admire affter so much comuning and … upbreakings yow should send me a paper carieing … my name as tutrix to my sonn … as if I durst take on me to make ane agreement to his prejudice