Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1775-1782, 1838-1932
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BRANDER, v.1, tr. and intr.
1. “To broil on a gridiron, to grill” (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). N.E.D. says “chiefly Sc. and north. dial.” Gen.Sc.Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 172:
The Scots also say to brander, for to broil meat.Sc. 1887 R. L. Stevenson Underwoods 98:
Why chops are guid to brander and nane sae guid to fry.Ags. 1932 Forfar Dispatch (18 Feb.) 2/4:
And mebbe a bittie stake [sic] at'll brander til's denner.Lnk. 1838 McIlwham Papers (ed. J. Morrison), Letter ii. 20:
Is it possible ye can hae forgot the time whan Billy Elshender shot the black Craw i' the whuns, the whilk ye pooked wi' yer ain twa hans, brandered, an' swallowed.
Hence brandered, ppl.adj., grilled.Mry. 1914 H. J. Warwick Tales from “the Toon” 18:
Supping bravely indoors on “brandered” herrings.
2. (1) “To support by trestle or framework; to build or lay supports for scaffolding, etc.; also, to form a foundation for building by planting strong framework on piles driven into the ground” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6). See Brander, n., 2.Mry. 1775 L. Shaw Hist. Prov. Moray 206:
The Citadel of Inverness . . . had several inconveniencies; the foundation was bad, and brandered with oak.
(2) “To fix transverse strips of wood in making the foundation for a ceiling” (Per. 1898 E.D.D.); “term used by joiners only” (Ayr., Kcb. 1935 (per Kcb.9)). See Brander, n., 2.
Hence (a) brandered, ppl.adj., “of ceilings: having a framework in addition to the joists” (Sc. 1898 E.D.D.); (b) brandering, vbl.n., “framework; trestles or supports for tables, scaffolding, etc.; framework foundation for building, panelling, etc.” (Sc. 1887 Jam.6).(a) Per. 1898 E.D.D.:
Brandered ceilings are made with a view to strength.(b) Per. 1898 E.D.D.:
Brandering. Known only in joiners' trade in this locality.Fif. 1862 St Andrews Gaz. (21 Nov.):
Cross brandering or long fenders, supplied by the harbour authorities.
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"Brander v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/brander_v1>
