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). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BREERIE, Brierie, Breirie, adj. and n. [′briəri, ′bri:ri]

1. adj.

(1) lit. Covered with briers.Fif. 1845 T. C. Latto Minister's Kailyard 33:
Glintin' owre braes an' hedges brierie.Fif. 1906–1911 Rymour Club Misc. I. 43:
Nae mair we'll pu' ye roses wyld Upon our banks sae brierie.

(2) fig. “Sharp, clever” (Lth. 1879 Jam.⁵, breerie); “birky, troublesome, bold and restless” (Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶).

†2. n. Collectively for briers, a place covered with briers. Obs. in St.Eng.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 273:
For sic a bird as you, Robin, Sat never on the brierie.Lth. 1813 G. Bruce Poems, etc. 124:
Frae the sweet-smell'd blooming breirie.