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

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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

For(e)breist, Foirbreist, n. Also: forbreyst, forebreast. [Brest n.]

1. The van of an army. c1475 Wall. vii. 1189.
At the forbreist thai prewit hardely Ib. x. 331.
In the forbreyst he retornyt full oft

2. The breast of a cloak, gown, or mantle. 1513 Doug. xi. xv. 19.
Hys rych mantill, of quham the forbreist lappis … was buklyt with a knot 1539 Treas. Acc. VII. 148.
Gevin to ane furrour for lynyng of the samin goun witht cotonaris and the foir breistis with martrik sabill 1561 Inv. Q. Mary 23.
The furring of the foirbreistis of a syde cloik of martrickes 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 8 b.
As the young lawyer … weares the fore-breast of his gowne on the Bar

3. The front of the loft in a church. 1668 Alford Rec. 137.
The stool of repentance to be fixed upon the midle of the forbreast of the loft 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 268.
The foir breist of the said loft 1698 Ib. IV. 322.
The fore breast of the loft in the Gray Frier Kirk