Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1773-1808, 1926
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BROACH, Brutch, Bruch, Broche, Brotch, n.1 [brotʃ, brʌtʃ, brɔtʃ]
1. (1) The spindle upon which newly-spun yarn is wound (Bch. 1936 (per Abd.9); Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 92, broach). Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Fruits of Time Parings 38:
Auld Luckydaddy winds at brutches, And Granny tells them tales o' witches.Ayr. 1787 G. Campbell Poems on Several Occasions 123:
Nor drop the cards, nor quit the buzzing wheel Till night see num'rous brotches heap the creel.
‡(2) “Yarn wound on a spindle; a cop” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. s.v. broach).
†(3) Fig. “A slender person” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1806 J. Hogg Poems 77:
But Kate, the brotch, she was a thin ane, Sat still an' heard ilk ane's opinion.
2. (1) “A buckle” (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Gl., broach, bruch); a clasp. Dim. broachie. Gen.Sc. The spelling brooch is now gen. in Eng. for this meaning.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Large broches of silver, of a circular form, and often nicely embossed, are worn by the better sort of Highlanders, for fastening their plaids before.Abd. 1926 L. Coutts Lyrics, etc. 33:
A tarn shimmert like a broach Atween the paaps o' the hill.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 16:
On Sabbath-days the barber spark, . . . Wi' siller broachie in his sark, Gangs trigly, faith!Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems and Songs 19:
Ye'll get a gouden ring an' siller brotch, An' now an' then we'll hurl in a coach.
†(2) “A narrow piece of wood or metal to support the stomacher” (Rxb. 1802 J. Sibbald Gl.).
[O.Sc. broch(e), brotch(e), (1) a pointed rod of metal, a roasting spit; a wooden pin on which thread is wound; (2) a brooch, a buckle, also in form bruche (D.O.S.T.). O.Fr. broche, a pointed stake, weapon, etc., Mod. Fr. broche, a spit; Lat. *brocca, a spike.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Broach n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 10 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/broach_n1>
