Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Brak, Brack, n. [f. Brak v. Cf. Braik n.¹, Brek n.]

1. Breaking, breach.(a) 1553 Misc. Spald. C. IV. 222.
Forgiffing all offensis … and speciell the last offens and brak maid be thaim … upon his gud friend the lord Louett 1578 St. A. Baxter Bks. 26.
Quha contravenes herintill sall pay to the collectour … twentie shillings Scots for ilk brak thereof 1605 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 44.
To giwe vp thair names to the session, that thay may be puneist for thair brak and prophanatioun of the Lordis Saboth 1627 Misc. Spald. C. V. 219.
The bailȝe … ordanit ewerie ane of the formoir tenentis to haue fallin in ane brak of the formoir ac 1664 Forbes Baron Ct. 253.
Fourtie poundes … to be peyed … immediatlie after any brak or misbehauour(b) 1619 Garden Elphinston 812.
Thy France thair freind confederat, Whiche but all bracks abaid 1642 Strathbogie Presb. 28.
The brethren … ordayned him, for the brack of the Sabboth, to mak his repentance 1658 Ib. p. xiii.
Alexander Carnie … was delait for brack of Sabbothe

2. Noise, disturbance. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 12/25.
Ane vthir sorte startis vpe … embraissyng with gret brak the faith of the starkast party