Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BREED, n.³ Favour, regard.

In phr. (1) in bad bread, in bad odour, in disfavour, on bad terms (with) (Ork., ne.Sc. 1975); in an evil plight; (2) in better bread, on better terms, in more favourable circumstances (Ags.¹ 1935); (3) no the breed o't, not the way of it, not the case; (4) on one's gude breeds, on one's best behaviour, at one's best; (5) to break one's bread, to deprive one of his livelihood, to get one the sack.(1)Sc. 1825 Jam., s.v. Bread:
To be in bad bread, to be in a dilemma, or in an evil taking.  Fif. 1865 St Andrews Gaz. (29 July):
It was a vessel in bad bread, running on to her own destruction. Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie & Bess 31:
I'm sorry to think puir Geordie's in sic bad breed wi' his maisters. (2)Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Plays 146:
E'en though Charlie shou'd succeed, He'd be in little better bread. (3)Rnf. 1861 J. Barr Poems 34:
If beards gied sense 't would be a' richt, We micht get o'er the grewsome sicht; I rather think that's no the breed o't.(4) Per. 1910 W. Blair Kildermoch 121:
Here comes Melchizedek, it's time we were on our gude breeds noo.(5)Abd. 1794 Session Papers, Shepherd v. Presb. Garioch (22 May) 3:
As Mrs Shepherd had broken her character, "they would break her husband's bread, and make him walk down the toun with his books upon his back".