Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Semibrefe,) Semebreif(e, n. Also: semi-briefe, semi-, semebrew(e; (senabrewe). [e.m.E. semi-briefe (1594), sembriefe (1591).] A semibreve. — c1550-c1580 Art of Music 1b.
The mynnym is a figur as the semibrew is with a virgle c1550-c1580 Art of Music 7b.
Semebrewis c1550-c1580 Art of Music 15b.
Ane long, ane brew and ane semebreif c1550-c1580 Art of Music 21b.
The secund rewill is that na noit may alter befoir ane noit more nor the self, as ane mynnym befoir ane semebrewe or before ane pause of ane semebreif a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 93 (W)
To heir the startling streames cleire I thocht it musike to the eire … With treble sweet and tenor just … Set with the C sol fa ut cleife Quhairby to knaw the note Thay sownd ane michtie semebreife [L. senabrewe, Wr. semi-briefe], Out of the elphis throte