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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BREELLS, Brills, n.pl. “Spectacles in general; but more strictly double-jointed spectacles” (Clydes. 1808 Jam., Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn., brills).
[Du. bril (pl. brillen), a pair of spectacles, Ger. brille, late M.H.Ger. b(e)rille, from Lat. and Gr. beryllus, beryl, aquamarine, which stone was used for lenses from about 1300 until glass could be produced without air bubbles (Kluge). Cf. also Eng. pebble.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Breells n. pl.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/breells>
