Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BREED, Brade, v.¹ and n.⁴

1. v. “To resemble, to be like in manners; esp. as denoting that similarity which characterises the same stock or family. In this sense, it requires the prep. of” (Sc. 1808 Jam. s.v. brade; Bnff.², Fif.¹⁰ 1935).Sc. 1737 Ramsay Proverbs 76:
Ye breed of Saughton Swin, your Neb's ne'er out of an ill Turn.Sc. 1777 J. Brand Pop. Antiquities 325:
Ye breed of the Witches, ye can do nae Good to your sel.Sc. 1896 A. Cheviot Proverbs 403:
Ye breed o' auld maids, ye look high.

2. n. The like, the equal.Cai.⁷ 1935:
There's no 'e breed o him in 'e toon.